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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Castro denies involvement in 'troll farms' voice clip

Castro denies involvement in 'troll farms' voice clip

Published Nov 26, 2025 12:47 pm
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro and Senator Robinhood Padilla (File photos)
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro and Senator Robinhood Padilla (File photos)
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro has denied that she was the person in an alleged recorded conversation about troll farms, saying lawmakers must be careful not to be unwittingly used by fake news peddlers.
Castro said this after Senator Robin Padilla presented an unverified audio recording of a supposed conversation allegedly between Castro and an unidentified individual linked to troll farms.
In her press briefing on Wednesday, Nov. 26, Castro said the clip had been circulating long before the hearing and showed a different woman, pointing out that mainstream media did not report on it precisely because the source was unclear.
“For the satisfaction of Senator Robin Padilla: Hindi po ako ang nasa video clip (That is not me in the video clip),” she said.
“Hindi nga po ito kinober ng mainstream media dahil… ayaw nilang maging lehitimong balita ito nang hindi naman nila alam ang source (Mainstream media did not cover it because they did not want to legitimize something without knowing the source),” she added.
Castro advised Padilla, who is pushing an anti-troll farm bill, to avoid falling prey to disinformation networks.
“Maganda ang kaniyang adhikain… troll farm for fake news (His advocacy against troll farms and fake news is good),” she acknowledged.
“Sana maging modelo rin po si Senator Robin, modelo na hindi magpapagamit o magpapabiktima sa troll farm na nagpapakalat ng fake news (I hope Senator Robin becomes a model of someone who will not be used or victimized by troll farms spreading fake news),” she added.
Castro echoed the sentiment of Padilla’s colleague, Senator Loren Legarda, saying he “should know first your source.”
Asked if she plans to take legal action, Castro said she cannot act on something whose origin remains unclear.
“Ni hindi nga po natin alam kung saan nanggaling (We do not even know where it came from),” she said.
The Palace official cited the obligation lies with Padilla.
“Mas maganda po itanong ninyo sana kay Senator Robin, saan niya po ba nakuha ito? (It’s better to ask Senator Robin where he got it),” she said.
“Kung galing ito sa mga troll, obligasyon niya pong magsabi kung saan iyong source (If this came from trolls, it is his obligation to reveal the source),” she added.

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Claire Castro Robin Padilla troll farms
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