MANILA — Malacañang on Friday rejected accusations that the Marcos administration is weaponizing the legal system against political opponents, insisting that ongoing cases against public figures are driven by the enforcement of the law — not political persecution.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro issued the statement after Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte accused the administration of using state institutions to harass critics and political rivals.
The mayor made the remarks in The Hague, Netherlands, following the arrest of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former congressman Mike Defensor, who are facing a non-bailable plunder case before the Sandiganbayan.
Responding to the allegation, Castro said the government could not simply ignore individuals accused of violating the law.
“Gusto ba nila na hindi kikilos ang gobyerno, hindi susundin ang sinasabi ng batas at hayaan na makaalpas at makaligtas ang mga naaakusahang gumagawa ng krimen laban sa bayan?” Castro said.
She urged those claiming political persecution to directly address the allegations against them instead of attributing the cases to politics.
“Bakit hindi sagutin ng diretso ang pag aakusa at hindi puro bintang na pinupulitika sila?” she added.
Castro maintained that under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., government institutions are carrying out their mandates in accordance with the law and the Constitution.
She also pointed to allegations involving Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the latter has yet to deny accusations over the alleged misuse of public funds and her reported statements about communicating with a killer.
“Nadinig na ba nila na itinanggi ng Bise Presidente ang isyung paglulustay ng pondo ng bayan at ang pag-amin niyang kumakausap siya ng killer para pumatay?”
Castro likewise cited a 2011 incident in which the Vice President punched a sheriff, arguing that the act itself constituted an abuse of authority.
She reiterated that the administration remains committed to upholding the rule of law and stressed that all legal proceedings should be allowed to take their course under the Constitution and existing laws./PN
