Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Tuesday pushed back against fresh accusations of corruption leveled by Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte against President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.
The response came after Duterte, in a Facebook post on March 30 that quickly gained traction online, questioned the President’s concern over his administration’s legacy. The Davao City congressman accused Marcos of corruption and weak leadership, saying Filipinos were more concerned about rising living costs and governance issues than political legacies.
“I find it ironic that Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is worried about anyone undoing his legacy,” Duterte wrote. “The only legacy I can think of is the legacy of corruption, which clearly you have surpassed that of your infamous father.”
Rep. Duterte added “Filipinos are not concerned about preserving political legacies—they are concerned about their daily struggles, the rising cost of living, and a government that should be working for them, not for itself.”
“Your legacy is your corruption, your weakness, [and] your inability to address the simplest of problems of every filipino and of course your being the one and only bangag president,” he noted.
In response, Castro defended Marcos and rejected Duterte’s claims, stressing that issues being raised should not be attributed to the current administration. She maintained that the government continues to address the country’s pressing concerns.
Castro also pushed back by citing statements made by former president Rodrigo Duterte, suggesting that allegations of corruption were acknowledged during his tenure.
“Kailangan pa po bang i-memorize na ang dating Pangulong Duterte ang makailang ulit na umamin na siya ay corrupt, na siya ay nagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan?” Castro said in a message to reporters.
“Sa kanyang speech sa harapan ng marami ay ipinagmalaki ng dating Pangulo ang pagtraydor sa mga Pilipino dahil sa kanyang pangungurakot, pagmamarijuana at pag-abuso sa fentanyl,” she added.
She further alleged that irregularities linked to “ghost projects,” which she said were acknowledged in 2020, were only curtailed after Marcos ordered an investigation.
Castro also referenced controversies during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Pharmally procurement issue and the reported involvement of businessman Michael Yang, as examples of corruption tied to the previous administration.
“Hindi rin dapat kalimutan ang isyu ng korapsyon ng Pharmally at Michael Yang habang may pandemic,” she said, adding that such issues should not be pinned on the current President.
“Kaya huwag ipahid kay Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang korapsyon na ginawa mismo ni FPRRD,” Castro noted.
