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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Huge lie': Palace refutes criticisms over Marcos' response to Middle East crisis impacts

'Huge lie': Palace refutes criticisms over Marcos' response to Middle East crisis impacts

Published Apr 13, 2026 03:08 pm
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro holds a press briefing at Malacañan on Aug. 27, 2025. (Betheena Unite)
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro holds a press briefing at Malacañan on Aug. 27, 2025. (Betheena Unite)
Saying that President Marcos has failed to deliver substantial relief to the people amid the impacts of the Middle East crisis on the country is a huge lie, Malacañang said.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said seen or not seen, Marcos continue to work and remains unfazed by criticisms, which she said were baseless.
"[P]ara sabihin na walang ginagawa para maibsan ang nararamdaman natin dito sa krisis sa Middle East, ito po ay napakalaking kasinungalingan (to say that nothing is being done to ease what we are experiencing in the Middle East crisis is a huge lie)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Monday, April 13.
She made the remark when asked to comment on the statement of the Makabayan Bloc, criticizing the President's response to the crisis.
The group said Marcos "has been reduced to being an announcer of possible rollbacks, targeted subsidies, and limited programs—while failing to deliver basic, substantial relief commensurate to the crisis."
Makabayan Bloc added that "the government appears to be stepping back from urgent measures such as the removal or suspension of excise taxes on oil, prioritizing revenue collection over
the survival of the people."
Castro stressed that the President continues to work with his administration and legislators, who provide suggestions on what can be done.
"Kapag hindi nakikita, uulitin ko po ulit, kapag hindi nakikita ang Pangulo, hinahanap sasabihing may sakit, naospital kung anu-ano. Ngayong nagpapakita at nagbibigay ng ulat sa bayan, pipintasan pa rin ninyo. Saan ninyo gusto lumugar ang isang Pangulo na katulad ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. (If the President is not seen, I repeat, if the President is not seen, people say he is sick or hospitalized, or all sorts of things. Now that he is appearing and reporting to the nation, he is still being criticized. Where do you want a President like President Marcos Jr. to be placed?" Castro lamented.
"Hindi naapektuhan ang Pangulo sa anumang kritisismo na walang basehan. Ang Pangulo po ay patuloy na magtatrabaho para sa taumbayan, hindi para doon lamang sa mga pumupuna ng walang basehan (The President is not affected by any baseless criticism. He will continue to work for the people, not just for those who criticize without basis)," the Palace official added.

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President Marcos Makabayan bloc middle east crisis oil supply
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