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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Fight vs corruption isn't done through debate—Palace

Fight vs corruption isn't done through debate—Palace

Published Jan 5, 2026 03:27 pm
Chavit Singson | PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro (MANILA BULLETIN)
Chavit Singson | PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro (MANILA BULLETIN)
The real fight against corruption is not carried out through a debate, Malacañang said, shutting down former politician Chavit Singson's dare for President Marcos to engage in a debate.
"Ang paglaban sa korapsyon ay hindi dinadaan sa debate kundi sa pag aksyon para mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot.   At iyan ang ginagawa ng Pangulo ngayon (The fight against corruption is not carried out through debate but through action to hold those who must be held accountable. And that is what the President is doing now)," Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Monday, Jan. 5.
This, after Singson challenged the President to a debate in relation to the massive flood control project anomalies.
In a press conference on Monday, Singson dished out the challenge saying he will immediately do it if Malacañang accepts the dare.
Castro pointed out that what the government needs to enforce now is good governance and not "media show."
"Ang kailangan natin ay totoong good governance na kumikilos at hindi mapangpanggap na puro pa media lang (What we need is genuine good governance that takes action, not pretentious governance that is all for media show)," Castro said.
The Palace official further took a swipe at Singson, saying it would have been more admirable if he had challenged former president Rodrigo Duterte to a debate when the latter admitted to being corrupt.
"Mas kahanga-hanga kung noon pa  sila naghamon ng debate about corruption nung umamin ang dating Pangulong Duterte na siya ay corrupt at nagnakaw sa kaban ng bayan at nung aminin niyang puno ng ghost projects sa panahon niya pero wala namang nagawang malawakang pag iimbestiga patungkol rito (It would have been more admirable if they had already challenged debates about corruption back then, when former president Duterte admitted that he was corrupt and had stolen from the public coffers, and when he admitted that his time was full of ghost projects, yet no broad investigation was ever carried out)," Catro said.
"Mas mapapatunayan nilang makabayan sila kung hindi sila nanahimik noon (They would better prove their patriotism if they had not remained silent then)," she added.
Castro also accused Singson for making up stories about the President.
READ MORE: Chavit challenges Marcos, his 'former friend,' to a debate

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President Marcos Chavit Singson flood control anomalies Claire Castro
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