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Palace questions Baste Duterte's ‘self-destruction’ claim over flood control probe
Palace questions Baste Duterte's ‘self-destruction’ claim over flood control probe
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Palace questions Baste Duterte's ‘self-destruction’ claim over flood control probe
by Luwela Amor13 April 2026
Photo courtesy: RTVM & Mike Defensor/Facebook

Malacañang on Monday responded to the statement of Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, claiming that the decision of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to open an investigation into flood control project anomalies amounts to “self-destruction.”

During a press briefing on Monday, April 13, Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro responded, saying the remark does not reflect the President’s position and commitment to accountability.

The issue stemmed from Duterte’s comments made during the launch of the Reform Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability (RAGE), where he warned that probing alleged irregularities in flood control projects could politically harm the administration.

Castro firmly rejected this framing, stressing that the Marcos administration would continue its investigation regardless of political affiliation or personal relationships.

“Self-destruction. Ang pagpapaimbistiga sa ma-anomalyang flood control projects ay self-destruction para sa Pangulo. Parang kakaiba po yata ang kanyang pananaw. Kaya ba hindi nagpa-imbestiga ng malaliman ang nakaraang administrasyon dahil magiging self-destruction sa dating Pangulong Duterte?" Castro said.

“Hindi po ganyan ang pananaw ng Pangulo. Ang Pangulo po kahit maapektuhan at matamaan ng kanyang administrasyon. Kahit ang kaalyado man niya ay kaibigan niya o kamag-anak niya ay maapektuhan, ipagpapatuloy po ang pag-iimbestiga sa flood control projects,” Castro said.

She emphasized that public funds must be properly accounted for and that any individuals found responsible should be held liable, regardless of their ties to the government.

“Ito po ay pondo ng bayan na dapat i-report sa bayan. Kung mayroong dapat na managot, yan ang nais ng Pangulo, dapat na managot,” she added.

Castro also addressed concerns about whether the Palace feels pressured or intimidated by the RAGE coalition, saying the administration remains focused on governance rather than politics.

She maintained that President Marcos is not engaging in political maneuvering and continues to work despite what she described as misinformation campaigns.

“Ang Pangulo po ay hindi namumulitika. Ang Pangulo po ay nagtatrabaho. Kitang-kita po natin yan sa mga report na ibinibigay namin. Although pilit na iniiba, Tini-twist na mga fake news peddlers at alam naman natin kung bakit nila tinitwist at ipapakita walang ginagawa ang Pangulo. Hindi maapektuhan ang Pangulo sa mga personal na galit, personal na interes, personal na ambisyon,” Castro said.

She further warned against the spread of misinformation, saying it is concerning when personal grievances are used to influence public sentiment.

“Ang nakakabahala lamang dito ay ang personal na galit, personal na interes, at personal na ambisyon ay gamitin ang taong-bayan na galitin ang puso ng bawat isa sa atin sa pamamagitan ng paglalahad ng kanilang fake news. 'Yan ang nakakabahala,” she said.

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