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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace believes men in 'maleta' claims are being used by those who want to oust Marcos

Palace believes men in 'maleta' claims are being used by those who want to oust Marcos

Published Feb 27, 2026 03:18 pm
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)
Malacañang believed that the 18 former marines, who claimed to have delivered kickbacks to President Marcos and other officials, were being used by people who wanted to bring the President and the government down.
"Malamang (Most likely)!" Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said when asked if she believes that the 18 alleged bagmen were being used.
"Pero wala po tayong partikular na impormasyon patungkol po diyan. Kung anong nais nila, hindi po natin batid pero ang mga nasa likod nito, alam naman natin kung anong gusto nila (But we do not have any specific information about that. We do not know what they want, but we do know what those behind this want)," Castro added.
The Palace official alleged that the people behind the appearance of the former Marines are the same individuals who want to oust Marcos to "install their own leader" in his place.
"Sa lahat ng mga ginagawa nila lalong-lalo na ang paninira na walang basehan at kung sino ba ang mga taong nasa likod nito, sila rin naman ang mga taong nais na pabagsakin ang gobyernong ito at patalsikin ang Pangulo sa puwesto at iluklok ang kanilang 'poon' (In all the things they are doing, especially the baseless attacks and as to who the people behind this are, they are the very same individuals who seek to bring down this government, remove the President from office, and install their own 'leader' in his place)," Castro said.
Castro said this when asked if the Palace shares the same opinion as Senator Panfilo Lacson and former senator Sonny Trillanes that the motive behind the 18 Marines' statements could be linked to destabilization.
"So, malamang sinasabi rin po ito ni Senator Lacson dahil nabiktima na po siya ng mga paninira noon (So, it is likely that Panfilo Lacson is also saying this because he himself has previously been a victim of smear campaigns)," Castro said.
This prompted the Palace mouthpiece to remind the alleged bagmen to not allow themselves to be used in harming the country.
"At, sana bilang Pilipino, huwag na lamang po silang magpagamit at makakasira po ito para sa ating bansa at para sa maganda sanang pagsulong ng ating bansa. Huwag na po silang magpagamit bilang Pilipino (And hopefully, as Filipinos, they won’t allow themselves to be used, because this could harm our country and what could have been a positive progress for our nation. As Filipinos, they should not allow themselves to be used)," Castro said.

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