By Ismael Amigo
MANILA — Malacañang on Monday hit back at Vice President Sara Duterte after she accused the Marcos administration of using increasingly desperate measures to bring her down, push Charter change and prevent the 2028 elections.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. dismissed the accusations as “nonsense” and “fake news,” according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
Castro said Marcos personally called her to convey his reaction to Duterte’s latest statements, which also accused the administration of trying to cling to power.
She said the President’s more direct response came after what she described as repeated attacks against him and his administration.
Castro maintained that Duterte’s accusations lacked basis and said the Palace could no longer simply disregard them.
Duterte made the statements while denying allegations by former security officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. that he delivered cash-filled suitcases totaling more than PHP2 billion to her, former President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte.
Duterte called the allegations a media stunt and denied knowing Gracioso or receiving money from him.
The National Bureau of Investigation has begun looking into Gracioso’s claims.
ia/xf
