"Let’s just wait and see. As of now, we do not have any plans of making and legal action against her. So, let’s just wait," Palace Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
Asked if the President views his sister's statements as a form of destabilization, Castro said it would be up to the Department of Justice (DOJ) or Ombudsman if they initiate any move over the allegations made by the senator during the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) rally on Monday in Manila.
"Let us check first all the facts and the statements that she made. And it’s up to the DOJ, maybe Ombudsman if they will make any initiative to end this matter," Castro said.
Same playbook as Marcos' detractors
In alleging the President of illegal drug use, which Castro had called "desperate moves," Senator Imee was using the same playbook her allies have been using against the Chief Executive, Castro said.
"Iyong kasinungalingan naman po talaga kitang-kita ninyo naman po. This is the same playbook ng kaniyang mga kaalyado (You can clearly see that what he’s saying is really a lie. This is the same playbook used by his allies)," Castro said, referring to what the Dutertes have been throwing at the President.
"Unang araw pa lang yata sa Maisug rally ito na po ang iniingay pero after a while nagsalita ang dating Pangulong Duterte na walang katotohanan ang kaniyang ibinibintang patungkol sa paggamit ng droga laban kay Pangulong Marcos Jr. (On the very first day of the Maisug rally this was already being floated, but after a while former president Duterte spoke and said that there was no truth to the accusations he was making about President Marcos Jr. allegedly using drugs)," Castro added.
"So, paiba-iba ng kuwento pero isa lang ang adhikain, tanggalin ang Pangulo sa puwesto (So the story keeps changing, but the goal is the same: to remove the President from office)," she further said.
'Hindi mabigat ang alegasyon'
Castro said the allegations made by the senator was not substantial, thus, they are not expecting it would impact the government and the international community's view of the Philippines.
She added that the AFP should also not be worried about the recent tirades against the Commander-in-Chief.
"Hindi mabigat ang alegasyon ni Senator Imee – walang basehan, kuwentong walang kuwento, kuwentong kutsero. So, bakit magkakaroon ng pag-aalala ang mga miyembro ng AFP? Wala, hindi dapat seryosohin ang mga alegasyon ni Senator Imee, isa lamang itong ingay (The allegation made by Senator Imee is not substantial—it has no basis, it’s a story without a story, pure fabrication. So why would members of the AFP be worried? There’s no reason; Senator Imee’s allegations should not be taken seriously—they are just noise)," Castro said.
"Muli international community, alam natin sila ay nag-a-assess, nag-i-evaluate gamit ang tamang data, gamit ang tamang facts. So, ang maaari lang mabudol ng mga ito ay iyong mga taong hindi nag-iisip o iyong mga taong bisa lang ang adhikain – gibain ang gobyerno ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. (Again, the international community—we know they assess and evaluate using proper data and correct facts. So the only people these individuals can fool are those who do not think, or those whose only aim is to bring down the government of President Marcos Jr.)," she added.