Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro on Monday has warned about an alleged organized plan or scheme behind the spread of fake news against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
During an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Castro emphasized that there appears to be a deliberate “plan” or “scheme” behind the spread of false information aimed at undermining the President’s credibility and promoting an alternative narrative.
Castro revealed that a citizen approached her and shared a firsthand account contradicting rumors about the President’s health.
“Siya pa ang nagsabi sa akin kahapon na, 'Hoy nandun kami nakita namin si Pangulo hindi naman totoong nasa hospital,’” Castro said. “Sabi ko sino ba naman naniniwala sa mga ‘yan eh. Wala namang basehan ‘yan.”
In recent days, rumors circulated online claiming that the President was seriously ill and frequently returning to St. Luke’s Medical Center—allegations that Malacañang has firmly denied.
The speculation intensified after some critics questioned the authenticity of photos and videos showing the President attending the Araw ng Kagitingan commemoration in Bataan on April 9, 2026. Some claimed the materials were “edited” or taken from previous years, while others alleged that the President’s appearance was AI-generated.
These claims were strongly refuted by the Malacañang Cameramen Association (MCA) and the Presidential Photojournalists Association (PPA), both of which stated that their members personally witnessed and documented the President’s presence at the event.
“Pati nga mainstream media inaaway na ng fake news peddlers, syempre naaapektuhan din, hindi sa gobyerno pati na rin mainstream media kaya nga naglalabas na sila ngayon ng statement pati mga cameramen naglabas na ng statement na hindi totoo ‘yan,” Castro said.
She stressed that the spread of disinformation is organized and designed to erode public trust in legitimate media institutions.
“Mayroon itong plano, may scheme na kahit alam ng tao na ito na nagpopost na ano ‘yung totoo talagang gigibain nila ‘yung katotohanan at ang balak nila pangibabawan pa ‘yung mainstream media para ‘yung naratibo nila ang madinig at paniwalaan ng mag inosente nating mga kababayan,” she added.
Castro urged the public to be cautious in consuming information, emphasizing that mainstream media undergo verification processes before releasing news.
“Doon tayo mag-ingat kasi mismong mainstream media na nagsasabi ng katotohanan…Mahirap ito kasi hindi tayo dapat mamuhay sa mga fake news lang palagi,” she said.
Government response
Castro said the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), led by Secretary Dave Gomez, has already taken action to combat disinformation.
“Gagawa din tayo ng website o link kung saan pwede ipadala ang paninira lalong-lalo na a gobyerno kasi yun ang kailangan kasi,” she said.
She added that individuals proven to be spreading fake news that misleads the public could face legal action.
The government will also work with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to track down those responsible, even if they are using tools to conceal their identities.
“Kakailanganin natin ang galing ng DICT natin, hindi tayo pwedeng magpatalo sa fake news,” Castro said.
Castro also defended the role of mainstream media, calling them essential partners in delivering accurate information to the public.
“Hindi mo kailangan awayin ang media, ang media ag kailangan natin, ang kaibigan natin para maparating kung anuman ang programa ng Pangulo kung ano ang ginagaw ang administrasyon, Kailangan talaga natin ng media at ang mainstream media ang talagang sasabihin natin an doon tayo maniwala. Bago yan ilabas, inaaral niya yan sinisigurado na tama ang ibinabalita ninyo. Kumbaga sinasabi nila pangalan niyo ang nakasalalay dito hindi lang for the views,” she said.
Badoy issue
She also dismissed allegations by former PCO undersecretary under former President Rodrigo Duterte Lorraine Badoy that members of the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) received “hush money” from the government.
The MPC earlier denied circulating allegations that its members are being used or paid to conceal the President's true health condition, stressing its commitment to accurate and verified reporting.
Badoy claimed without any evidence, that MPC members each received P50,000 from first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
“Tanong natin siguro ibalik natin ang tanong sa kanya. Anong pruweba mo kasi ang ginagawa nila ganito puro intriga. Sabi nga natin kanino ba sila magmamana ng paggawa ng intriga at pagplanta ng ebidensya, edi sa amo nila. Doon naman sila eksperto. Noon pa ‘yan umamin na gumagawa talaga sila ng intriga at nagpaplanta ng ebidensya,” Castro said.
“Anong pruweba mo, huwag kang magpagawa ng intriga lang na in a form of question tapos wala kang ebidensya. Kasi kung wala kang ebidensya ay talagang naninira ka lang. ‘Yan naman ang trabaho nila. Lahat ng sinasabi nila ngayon na puro in a form of question as if meron siyang alam pero walang ebidensya intriga lang talaga para sirain,” she added.
She added that such baseless accusations are part of a broader attempt to discredit mainstream media so that unsupported narratives can gain public trust.
Amid the issue, the government has also called on social media company Meta to strengthen safeguards and response mechanisms against disinformation, particularly those involving national interest and security.
In a letter addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Gomez and DICT Secretary Henry Aguda required Meta to take immediate action to stop the spread of fake news on its platforms or face possible legal action.
Malacañang continues to urge the public to remain vigilant and discerning when consuming and sharing information online.
