MANILA, Philippines– The Office of the President accused Senator Imee Marcos in Manila of protecting former President Rodrigo Duterte, whom it described as a “self-confessed murderer,” in response to her renewed criticism of the Marcos administration.
Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said Malacañang viewed Marcos’ remarks as a defense of Duterte. She referred to Duterte’s past public statements in which he claimed responsibility for killings linked to anti-crime and anti-drug campaigns when he was Davao City mayor and later president.
Malacañang said Marcos’ position favored Duterte amid questions over his public statements on the killings. Officials said they saw her remarks as inconsistent with the administration’s stated policy on human rights, rule of law, and accountability for alleged extrajudicial killings in past anti-drug operations.
The statement formed part of an ongoing exchange between Marcos and officials of the President’s camp, as the senator continued to question policies and decisions of the current administration.
As of publishing, Marcos had not issued a detailed response to the latest Malacañang statement. In previous remarks, she defended Duterte’s record and denied that he ordered unlawful killings.
Officials said the administration would continue to respond to statements from Marcos and other lawmakers when these refer to Duterte’s public claims about killings during his term.
The Presidential Communications Office said it would release clarifications or documents if needed to support Malacañang’s description of Duterte as a “self-confessed murderer.”
The Palace did not announce any legal or administrative action related to its statement and said it would maintain its position on Duterte’s public admissions and on Marcos’ defense of the former president.