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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider No truth to Mayor Baste's claims of criminality, drugs, and corruption under Marcos — Palace

No truth to Mayor Baste's claims of criminality, drugs, and corruption under Marcos — Palace

Published May 25, 2026 03:00 pm
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro shows a copy of a news report on the interception of P15.6-million shabu in Davao City. (RTVM)
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro shows a copy of a news report on the interception of P15.6-million shabu in Davao City. (RTVM)
Malacañang refuted Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte's claims against President Marcos, saying they are just mere smear tactics.
"Ang mga binabanggit ni Mayor Baste, alam po natin na ito ay walang katotohanan; ito ay pawang paninira lamang at iyan ang gusto niyang i-amplify sa kanyang mga kaalyado para palabasin na ang Pangulo ay walang ginagawa. Pero iyan po ay taliwas sa katotohanan (The claims being made by Mayor Baste are clearly untrue; they are merely smear tactics, and he wants his allies to amplify them to make it appear that the President is doing nothing. But that is contrary to the truth)," Palace Press Officer and Communications (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a briefing on Monday, May 25.
Castro was asked for the Palace's reaction to remarks made by Duterte during a regional gathering of the Rage Coalition in Davao City on May 23.
The Davao City mayor said Marcos has no achievement and that he brought back drugs, criminality, and corruption.
The Palace mouthpiece countered back saying: those who frequently go on vacations are the same ones looking for the President's accomplishments.
Castro labeled Duterte's remarks as "repeated claims" meant to deceive the public about the current administartion.
"Hindi natin sila masisisi kung sila’y bulag at bingi sa ginagawa ng Pangulo dahil siguro wala sila sa bansa. Pero iyan po kasi ang paulit-ulit na sinasabi nila at ng kanilang mga kaalyado upang lokohin ang taumbayan sa kanilang mga kasinungalingan na walang ginagawa ang ating Pangulo (We cannot blame them if they are blind and deaf to what the President is doing, perhaps because they are not even in the country. But these are the same repeated claims they and their allies keep making to deceive the public with lies that our President is doing nothing)," Castro said.
The Palace official also rejected Duterte's claims that the proliferation of illegal drugs worsened during Marcos' presidency, and hit back at the local chief executive over the situation of illegal drugs in Davao City.
Showing a copy of a news report of a P15.6-million shabu intercepted in Davao City, Castro questioned the effectiveness of the so-called war on drugs implemented by the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
"Kaya nga po masugid ang ating gobyerno sa pagsawata ng mga iligal na droga. Kaya nga nagtataka po tayo, bakit po kaya napakadaming droga, illegal drugs na nahuhuli sa Davao City (That is precisely why our government remains relentless in combating illegal drugs. That is also why we wonder why so many illegal drugs continue to be seized in Davao City)?" Castro questioned.
"Katulad po nito, noong May 14, 2026, mayroon pong nahuli, nasabat na halagang P15.6 million shabu mismo sa Davao City operation. Hindi po ba sakop niya ito? Kaya nga po bakit sa Davao City ay may nahuhuli kung naging epektibo po iyong sinasabi nilang war on drugs (For instance, on May 14, 2026, authorities confiscated shabu worth ₱15.6 million in an operation conducted in Davao City itself. Isn’t that under his jurisdiction? So why are drugs still being seized in Davao City if the so-called war on drugs they claim was effective)?" Castro added.
On claims of corruption, the Palace spokesperson pointed out that the "administration continues to hold accountable those who should be held responsible."
"Ang isa po na umamin na korap at nagnakaw sa pondo ng bayan nasa The Hague na po (One person who admitted to being corrupt and to stealing public funds is now in The Hague)," Castro even said.
Castro also denied Duterte's claims that the country is under an "undeclared martial law," stressing that the President is not suppressing the rights of the media and the people, especially press freedom and freedom of expression.
Asked whether the President would just let the Davao City Mayor to keep criticizing him, Castro said they leave it to the law enforcement agencies to investigate if any law are being violated.
"NBI po, PNP, kung may nilalabag na batas, kung may kasinungalingang ibinibigkas para magulo ang bayan, sila na po ang dapat na mag-imbestiga rito (The NBI and the PNP should investigate if any laws are being violated or if false statements are being spread to create disorder in the country)," Castro said.

Related Tags

President Marcos Baste Duterte Davao City Illegal drugs corruption Claire Castro
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