MANILA – Malacañang rejected allegations that the country is under a so-called “de facto martial law,” stressing that democratic institutions remain fully functional and that critics continue to speak freely without government reprisal.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said claims that dissenters are being intimidated or selectively prosecuted are baseless and do not reflect the current political climate under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.. She made the statement in response to remarks by Batangas’ Cong. Leandro Leviste, who suggested that critics of the administration feel pressured or targeted.
“Not all wrong opinions deserve a response from the Palace. Iyon lang,” Castro said during a press briefing at Malacañang.
Castro added that members of the media themselves are well-placed to assess whether there is truth to the allegations of intimidation.
“Unang-una po, mismong mga taga-media, kayo po na miyembro ng MPC [Malacañang Press Corps] ay makakaramdam kung totoo po ba ang kaniyang mga sinasabi,” she said.
She further rejected claims that government critics are being singled out for exposing alleged corruption, noting that despite repeated and often harsh accusations against the President, Marcos has not filed cases against his detractors.
“Kung may mga kritiko makikita naman po natin panay-panay ang pag-akusa, pagbibigay ng mga masasakit na salita na walang katotohanan sa Pangulo pero ang Pangulo mismo ay hindi po nagsasampa ng kaso,” Castro said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson echoed the Palace’s position, saying he has not seen any actions by the government that would amount to the suppression of critics.
“Of course not. Malayo. I do not agree,” Lacson said when asked about the allegations.
He added that if the country were indeed under a “de facto martial law,” critics would already be facing legal or political reprisals.
“If there were indeed a ‘de facto Martial Law,’ he would have been slapped with a libel complaint for criticizing supposed wrongdoings in the government,” Lacson said./PN
