MANILA — Malacañang on Friday rejected Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. controls the Senate, prosecutors, judges and police, calling the allegation baseless.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro responded to Duterte’s video statement posted on Sept. 7, in which the vice president thanked her supporters amid her ongoing impeachment trial and the cases she faces.
Duterte said her supporters should not feel pressured despite the impeachment proceedings and other legal cases.
She also alleged that Marcos controls senators, prosecutors, judges and police, but said she has lawyers helping her contest the cases.
Castro rejected the allegation in a separate video statement.
“This accusation has no basis and is merely a product of Vice President Sara Duterte’s dirty and malicious mind,” Castro said.
Castro also questioned Duterte’s statement that she was ready to become president.
“Handa na raw siyang maging pangulo? O handa na siyang maging panggulo?” Castro said.
The Palace official accused Duterte of focusing on allegations against government institutions instead of addressing issues affecting Filipinos.
Castro also criticized Duterte over what she described as a lack of action on flooding in several parts of the country, including Davao City, and rising prices of goods.
She cited Duterte’s trip to Bangkok when the conflict in Iran broke out and said the vice president had not helped address the effects of the conflict.
Castro said Duterte’s allegations sought to undermine public confidence in government authorities and portray the vice president as a victim of political persecution.
The Palace official also referred to the complaint facing Duterte and said the evidence against her did not result from fabricated or planted evidence.
“There is no fabricated intrigue, no planted evidence—only evidence that came to light during her father’s administration,” Castro said.
She added that the allegations against Duterte involved actions she allegedly took voluntarily and according to her own agenda.