Palace dismisses Imee Marcos' criticism as 'fake news'

Malacañang on Wednesday dismissed Senator Imee Marcos’ criticism of the administration, describing her remarks as “fake news” intended to undermine the government.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro was responding to the senator’s statement that the administration was “asleep” and “drunk with power” and had lost focus on key national issues.

“Ito ay fake news para makapanira lamang at para maikalat ang mga klaseng maling impormasyon," Castro said. (This is fake news meant only to damage the government and spread false information.)

Castro added that the senator’s statements could fuel public anger by spreading what she described as baseless claims.

“Hindi lang ito simpleng paninira, hindi ito simpleng pagbibigay at pagkakalat ng fake news. Paghahasig ito ng puot.” (This is not merely an attack or the spread of fake news. It is sowing hatred.)

She also questioned why the senator was allegedly silent during the Duterte administration despite issues involving illegal drugs and flood control projects, while criticizing the current administration’s anti-corruption efforts.

Castro maintained that the Marcos administration has continued to assist farmers and fisherfolk and has intensified investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

Asked whether Senator Marcos should be investigated for allegedly spreading disinformation, Castro said the matter is for the appropriate government agencies to determine, stressing that President Marcos would not order an investigation against his own sister.

“Hindi mag-uutos ang Pangulo na imbestigahan ang kanyang kapatid. Nasa authority na ’yan kung kinakailangang imbestigahan si Sen. Marcos," she added. (The President will not order an investigation into his sister. That is up to the proper authorities if they find it necessary.) —LDF, GMA News