In a decisive response to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s recent allegations, Malacañang Palace has firmly dismissed claims that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is involved in selling the country’s gold reserves. The accusations were labeled as ‘baseless’ and mere ‘intrigues’ by Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer, lawyer Claire Castro, during a press briefing held in Malacañang, Manila on Monday, February 24, 2025.
Castro, in her inaugural press briefing since her appointment, took a strong stance against Duterte’s claims, urging the public to critically assess the credibility of such unsubstantiated statements. She drew parallels to Duterte’s past campaign promises, notably his 2016 pledge to ride a jetski to assert Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, questioning whether the former president’s latest accusations were another attempt at political jesting.
The Palace Press Officer highlighted the operational independence of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which exclusively manages the nation’s gold reserves. She questioned whether Duterte had consulted with economic experts before making such serious allegations, emphasizing that the BSP follows stringent protocols to ensure the country’s financial stability. Castro’s remarks underscored a lack of understanding on Duterte’s part regarding the central bank’s regular activities.
Challenging Duterte to substantiate his claims, Castro demanded concrete evidence, stating, ‘All we want here is evidence. Show your evidence.’ Her call for proof was a direct response to Duterte’s accusations made during a campaign rally in Cebu on the preceding Saturday, where he not only targeted the Marcos administration over the alleged gold reserve sales but also criticized the resurgence of drug problems, including in his hometown of Davao City.
Castro further questioned the leadership of Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, the former president’s son, in light of the drug problem claims. She challenged Duterte to present data to support his assertions about the inefficacy of his son’s administration, asking, ‘Does this mean that his son is inefficient? Again, where are the data to back up this claim?’
The Palace’s firm rebuttal to Duterte’s allegations reflects a broader effort to maintain public trust in the Marcos administration’s economic stewardship and governance. By emphasizing the need for evidence and questioning the validity of Duterte’s claims, Malacañang aims to counteract what it perceives as political maneuvering by the former president.