Castro: Marcos' remarks during SONA 2026 already directives vs. flood control

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro on Wednesday said that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.’s remarks during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) are already directives to government agencies.

Castro issued the remark when asked about Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco’s dare for Marcos to direct agencies under him to show evidence against former Speaker and incumbent Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez.

“Nagsalita ang Pangulo during the SONA. Umpisa pa lang nung last year na SONA, mahiya naman kayo, sabi ng Pangulo. Kailangan managot ang dapat managot,” she said on Super Radyo dzBB.

(The President spoke during the SONA. Even at the beginning of last year’s SONA, the President said: “Have some shame.” Those who should be held accountable must be held accountable.)

“Second SONA, nabanggit niya ang flood control mess, nabanggit niya ang dating Speaker. Ano pa ang kailangan? Salita pa lang ng Pangulo, utos na ‘yan eh,” she added.

(Second SONA, he mentioned the flood control mess, he mentioned the former Speaker. What more is needed? The President’s words alone are already an order.)

LIVE sa DZBB: Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Usec. Clarissa “Claire” Castro

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In his fifth SONA, Marcos said the impending filing of cases against Romualdez, his cousin, hurt him but added that it was something that had to be done.

Castro said it is not Marcos’ job to find the evidence.

Meanwhile, she said Tiangco could also provide evidence to the Ombudsman.

“Katulad niyan, halimbawa si Congressman Toby. Gaano ba kalalim ‘yung alam? Mukhang marami naman siyang alam. Bakit hindi po siya ang maghalungkat ng ebidensya at ibigay sa Ombudsman,” she said.

(Like, for example, Congressman Toby. How much does he actually know? It seems like he knows a lot. Why doesn’t he dig up the evidence himself and give it to the Ombudsman?)

“Wala naman pumipigil po kahit kanino (No one is stopping anyone),” she added.—AOL, GMA News