Claire Castro Dismisses Duterte’s Dictatorship Claims as Baseless

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Newly appointed Palace press officer, lawyer Claire Castro, has strongly refuted former President Rodrigo Duterte’s claims that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is heading toward dictatorship.

Rodrigo Duterte

In her first media interview as Palace press officer, Castro called Duterte’s allegations “baseless” and urged the public not to believe in mere speculation without solid proof.

“Hindi tayo pwedeng maniwala sa mga pang-iintriga lamang na walang ebidensya,” she said.

Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, has been vocal in his criticism of the Marcos administration, warning that the country may be moving toward an authoritarian rule. However, Castro dismissed these claims, emphasizing that Duterte himself had a record of silencing political opponents during his time in office.

She pointed to the case of former senator Leila de Lima, who was jailed during the Duterte administration on drug-related charges that critics argue were politically motivated. De Lima, a staunch critic of Duterte’s war on drugs, spent nearly seven years in detention before being acquitted in 2024.

“Siguro naman napatunayan natin ’yan sa panahon ni Senator Leila de Lima. Ano pa ba ang ie-expect natin sa dating Pangulong Duterte? Gumawa ng intriga, magplanta ng ebidensya,” Castro said.

Her remarks highlight the ongoing tension between the Marcos and Duterte camps, which has been evident in recent political discourse. While the two leaders were once seen as allies, cracks in their relationship have grown as Duterte and his supporters become more vocal in their criticisms of Marcos.

Political analysts suggest that Duterte’s recent statements could be an attempt to maintain his political relevance and rally his supporters. However, Castro’s firm stance signals that the Marcos administration is prepared to push back against what it sees as misinformation.

The Palace has reiterated its commitment to upholding democracy and the rule of law, countering accusations that Marcos is consolidating power in an authoritarian manner. Officials continue to stress that governance under Marcos remains transparent and constitutional.

As the political landscape in the Philippines remains volatile, the clash between Duterte’s camp and the Marcos administration is expected to intensify. With figures like Castro taking a strong stance against Duterte’s claims, the battle for public perception is far from over.

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