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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace brushes off Leviste's claim on reason behind travel

Palace brushes off Leviste's claim on reason behind travel

Published Feb 1, 2026 12:24 pm  |  Updated Feb 1, 2026 01:11 pm
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro and Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste (RTVM/Facebook)
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro and Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste (RTVM/Facebook)
Malacañang has shrugged off Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste's claims that the Marcos administration has asked him to travel abroad in an attempt to silence him over flood control anomalies.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro labeled Leviste's claims as baseless allegations.
Castro said the Palace will not waste time on "senseless" claims, stressing that President Marcos is busy over pressing issues.
"Ngayon ay abala ang Pangulo at ang administrasyong ito sa mas mahahalagang issue ng bayan. Tutok si Pangulong Marcos Jr para iangat ang ekonomiya ng bansa (At present, the President and this administration are busy dealing with far more important national issues. President Marcos Jr. is focused on boosting the country’s economy)," Castro said in a text message to reporters on Saturday, Jan. 31.
"Hindi namin binibigyang halaga ang mga pahayag na walang kabuluhan... walang kwenta. Nakakatawa. Sayang lang ang oras (We do not give importance to statements that are meaningless—worthless. They are laughable and a waste of time)," Castro stressed.
In a statement, Leviste said he asked for a five-month travel authority as "representatives of the administration" asked him to go abroad and stop releasing evidence linking government officials to the massive flood control anomalies.
Castro dismissed the claim, saying letting the people know about the truth should not be done through "drama, insinuations, and baseless accusations."
"Ang mga dapat malaman ng bayan ay dapat nang pinapahayag ng walang takot. Hindi puro pa media lang (What the people need to know should already be stated openly and without fear. Not aired only through the media)," Castro pointed out.
"Huwag daanin sa drama, insinuations at puro bintang na 'walang ebidensya' ang pagbibintang sa administrasyon (It should not be done through drama, insinuations, and baseless accusations against the administration)," Castro added.

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Claire Castro Leandro Legarda Leviste President Marcos flood control anomalies
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