Malacañang has urged Filipinos not to allow themselves to be used in exchange for money to fabricate allegations, warning that innocent people could be harmed as the controversy involving the so-called “Maleta Boys” continued to unfold.

In a video statement on Friday evening, Aug. 7, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the public should not be lured by financial offers to participate in what she described as a scheme to make up stories against the President.

"Kaya sa mga kababayan natin ay huwag magpabitag sa ganitong plano para lang sa pera dahil may mga taong inosente ang inyong sisirain (So, to our fellow Filipinos, do not fall into this kind of scheme just for money because there are innocent people whose lives you will destroy),” she said.

Castro specifically linked the alleged scheme to supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte who are supposedly out to destroy the reputation of President Marcos.

"Nakikita naman natin ang style ng mga Duterte supporters kung paano sila mag-hire ng mga tao na gumawa ng kathang-isip na kwento kapalit ng malaking halaga, laban sa Pangulo (We can see the style of the Duterte supporters in how they hire people to make up fabricated stories against the President in exchange for a large amount of money),” she said.

The Palace Press Officer added that the controversy was also being viewed by some as part of an alleged effort to destabilize the Marcos administration, citing former Quezon City congressman Mike Defensor and his associates.

"Marami nakakaramdam na parte ito ng plano ni Mike Defensor at ibang kasamahan niya para sa isang destabilisasyon (Many feel that this is part of the plan of Mike Defensor and some of his associates for a destabilization effort),” she said.

Despite this, Castro said any findings from the Office of the Ombudsman concerning the "Maleta Boys" allegations against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and other personalities should be left to the independent constitutional body.

Castro's remarks came as four of the so-called "Maleta Boys" recanted their earlier statements implicating Romualdez, Marcos, and other personalities in the alleged flood control scandal.

One of the group members, however, claimed that they were offered between P20 million and P25 million to recant their statements, adding another layer to the controversy.

Meanwhile, 10 members of the group were arrested after they failed to post bail in connection with perjury charges filed against them.