MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday said reports that disgruntled former military officials plotting to oust President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is nothing new and has tasked concerned agencies to probe the alleged “power grab”.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro issued the statement in reaction to the disclosure made by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson over the weekend that there are several “retired officials” supposedly recruiting military personnel to roll out plans to overthrow Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte over the controversies they are respective involved in.
“That has been news for a long time, they have been wanting to destabilize our president for a long time, that is not new,” Castro said in Filipino in a briefing.
The Palace Press Officer further stated that Lacson, being a seasoned investigator, would not make unsubstantiated claims and would always come with “receipts” and urged the security cluster to look into the matter.
Lacson, a former top policeman, said that while it is highly unlikely that the retired officers’ plan would be a success, “definitely there is an attempt” to remove the two highest elected officials from office.
“First of all, it has to be proven because Senator Lacson, when he speaks, he has receipts. So, once again, to our investigating bodies, you don't need to be ordered. Just do the investigation.
