President Marcos has denied former Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairman Silvestre Bello III’s allegation that he was removed from his post after refusing a supposed P1-billion offer to run for Congress in Davao, calling the claim “a lie.”

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said she personally raised the issue with the President following Bello’s statements, and the Chief Executive immediately dismissed them.

“I talked to the President personally on this matter, and he said it’s a lie,” she said.

Bello earlier claimed he was asked to run against Davao Third District Rep. Isidro Ungab in exchange for P1 billion and a promised Cabinet post if he lost. He alleged that his refusal led to his eventual removal as chairman of MECO.

Castro reiterated the President’s denial, saying there was no truth to Bello’s version of events.

“On the part of the President, it’s a lie. There’s no truth about that,” she said.

When asked what prompted the Palace to relieve Bello from his MECO role, Castro declined to offer details.

“You can ask him. But on the part of the President, it’s a lie. There’s no truth about that,” she repeated.

Bello was appointed MECO chair in 2022 and served for nearly two years before being replaced in October 2024 by former PCO Secretary Cheloy Garafil.

MECO is the Philippines’ representative office in Taiwan, functioning as a de facto embassy in the absence of formal diplomatic ties. It handles consular services, labor concerns, trade promotion, and coordination with Taiwanese counterparts.