MALACAÑANG on Friday denied Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte’s claim that the Marcos administration is weaponizing the law against political opponents, insisting that the government is merely enforcing existing laws and upholding transparency and accountability.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro advised the Duterte camp, particularly Vice President Sara Duterte, to answer the allegations rather than attack the Marcos administration.
“Do they want the government to do nothing, disregard the law, and allow those accused of committing crimes against the nation to escape accountability?” Castro said in a statement.
Speaking to Filipino vloggers in The Hague, Netherlands, Mayor Duterte claimed that the Marcos administration was using the law and government bureaucracy to punish critics and dissenters.
He cited the arrests of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former Quezon City representative Mike Defensor as proof that the government was targeting its critics.
“They are the ones in power. Whoever does not follow them or refuses to do so will surely be punished,” he said.
Castro challenged those making allegations of political persecution to address the accusations against them directly instead of claiming that they were politically persecuted.
The Palace official also said the Duterte camp has repeatedly avoided responding to the substance of the allegations confronting the vice president.
The vice president is currently on trial before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court after the House of Representatives impeached her earlier this year over allegations that include culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
She has denied any wrongdoing and described the impeachment as politically motivated.
The vice president also previously admitted making what she described as a “conditional” statement that she had instructed someone to kill Marcos, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House speaker Martin Romualdez should an alleged plot against her succeed, insisting the remarks were taken out of context.
“Have they heard the VICE PRESIDENT deny the allegations involving the misuse of public funds or her admission that she spoke to someone she described as a killer to carry out a killing?” Castro said.
Castro also took a swipe at the Duterte camp by referring to the mayor’s reported altercation with court personnel during the implementation of judicial orders involving his father.
“Under President Marcos Jr., power is exercised properly and in accordance with the law, unlike in the past,” Castro said.
“Let us remember that punching a sheriff who was merely performing his duty is the real abuse of power,” she added.
