Malacañang dismissed as a “lousy script” the renewed allegation linking President Marcos to the supposed delivery of cash-filled suitcases, saying law enforcement agencies should act against those spreading false information.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro rejected the claim raised by lawyer Levi Baligod and 18 former marines that President Marcos was the alleged mastermind behind the supposed delivery of “maleta” of money to the residence of the Chief Executive and that of former lawmaker Zaldy Co.

“Paulit-ulit na kasinungalingan laban sa Pangulo. Lousy script. Hindi pang-award-winning. Hindi malinis, alam mo na may kasinungalingan (Repeated lies against the President. It’s a lousy script, not award-winning. It’s not clean—you know there’s falsehood in it),” she said in a press briefing on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Castro suggested that those behind the allegation may not be new players, hinting at a possible coordinated effort.

“Sino ba ang nasa likod nito, siguro dapat malaman ninyo, kung sino ba iyong may-ari ng sasakyan na siyang sumundo sa kanila matapos ang press briefing or presscon nila (Who is behind this? Perhaps you should find out who owns the vehicle that picked them up after their press briefing),” she said.

“I believe, hindi kayo magugulat (you won’t be surprised), same people,” she added.

However, Castro said there was no need for Malacañang to order authorities to file cases, stressing that it is already the obligation of law enforcement agencies, such as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), to act against fake news.

“Nandiyan ang NBI, nandiyan ang PNP dapat malaman nila ito, obligasyon nila na kasuhan ang mga nagpapakalat ng fake news, dapat pa ba silang utusan (The NBI and the PNP are there—they should look into this. It is their obligation to charge those spreading fake news. Do they still need to be ordered)?” she said.

“Hindi po, obligasyon ng NBI, PNP, DOJ (No. It is the obligation of the NBI, PNP, and the Department of Justice),” she added.

The Palace has repeatedly denied allegations linking the President to illegal activities and has warned against the spread of disinformation, saying such claims only aim to undermine the administration.

A group of 18 supposed former members of the Philippine Marines claimed to have witnessed deliveries of up to P805 billion in cash packed in suitcases to several government officials. They claimed that a big suitcase contained around P50 to 70 million, while a small one contained P15 to P25 million.

These include Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who said that while the "script is poorly done and a clear hack job," he was mulling filing a case against his accusers.

Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima, also named in the joint affidavit of the ex-Marines, described the allegations as "preposterous" and "laughable."

The former Marines likewise alleged delivering several suitcases supposedly containing kickbacks from flood control projects to the house of former Marikina City 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo.

Quimbo was a member of the bicameral conference committee and served as vice chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations during deliberations on the 2025 national budget. She later became committee chairperson following the resignation of Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co.

Others named were Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, and Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel.