MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday dismissed claims of a supposed agreement between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte to divide their term in office, saying the President has no knowledge of such an arrangement.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified in a briefing that neither she nor the President is aware of any deal suggesting a leadership transition by 2025.
The issue arose after Ramil Madriaga, tagged as an alleged bagman, claimed during a House hearing that a 2021 agreement existed for Marcos to step down midway through his term in favor of Duterte. He also alleged that there were plans to remove the President from office.
Castro stressed that Marcos remains firm in his commitment to serve his full term, noting that he made this promise to voters during the campaign.
She added that the President was taken aback by the accusations, emphasizing that such claims do not reflect his character or intentions.
The controversy surfaced amid a congressional inquiry linked to impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.
On separate remarks involving alleged threats against the President, including statements attributed to Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, Castro said the matter should be handled by the National Bureau of Investigation, which she tasked to look into the issue.
ia/xf
