In a strong rebuttal to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent allegations, Malacañang Palace has labeled the claims as a ‘hoax’ and a product of a ‘one-man fake news factory.’ The accusations, which suggested that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is steering the country towards a dictatorship, were met with fierce criticism from Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
Bersamin, in a statement released on Sunday, denounced Duterte’s remarks as ‘baseless’ and ‘ridiculous.’ He argued that it is Duterte himself who is misrepresenting the current administration as a threat to democracy. ‘This hoax is another budol (trick), emerging from a one-man fake-news factory,’ Bersamin stated, emphasizing the deceptive nature of Duterte’s claims.
The Executive Secretary further elaborated that the Filipino public views Duterte’s statements with skepticism, treating them as mere fabrications from a man known for his propensity to lie and create hoaxes. ‘We treat the former president’s baseless and ridiculous statements in the same way that Filipinos are dismissive of them: A tall tale from a man prone to lying and to inventing hoaxes,’ he added.
Bersamin reaffirmed the Marcos administration’s commitment to upholding the constitution, adhering to the rule of law, and protecting the rights of the Filipino people. He stressed that the current government would not revert to the oppressive tactics of the previous administration, which saw critics imprisoned on fabricated charges and kill orders issued publicly with a sense of glee and followed without question.
Highlighting the stark contrast between the two administrations, Bersamin pointed out that it was Duterte’s regime that was notorious for disregarding individual rights and violating due process. ‘It is the leader of that troubled past who is depicting us as veering toward a system where anyone can be deprived of life, liberty, and property without due process of law, as many had been on his mere say-so as a tyrant who did not respect the rights of the people,’ he concluded, drawing a clear line between the current and past administrations’ approaches to governance and human rights.
The ongoing feud between the current and former administrations underscores the deep political divisions in the Philippines, with each side accusing the other of undermining democratic principles. As the Marcos administration continues to navigate these turbulent waters, it remains committed to fostering a government that respects and upholds the rights and freedoms of its citizens.