Sen. Imee Marcos (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang dismissed concerns that Sen. Imee Marcos leading a Senate inquiry into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest is a “slap” to the administration of her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong
R. Marcos Jr.
At a briefing on Thursday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro was asked about President Marcos’ thoughts on his sister spearheading the hearing, which was also taking place that day.
“Kung ano man daw po ang gagawin na pag-he-hearing sa Senado, hindi naman po natin tututulan para ipakita sa taong bayan na tayo po ay sumusunod lamang sa batas,” Castro said.
(Whatever hearing will be conducted in the Senate, we will not oppose it to show the public that we are simply following the law.)
“Hindi po ito sampal sa pamahalaan. Baka po it’s the other way around,” she also said.
(This is not a slap on the government. Maybe it’s the other way around.)
Additionally, Castro appeared to take a jab at Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, whose whereabouts remain unclear.
“Kapag po kasi tayo ay nagtatago, ayaw makipag-usap, lahat ng mga officers niya ay sasabihing walang alam. Mas lalo tayong nagpapakita na may tinatago tayo,” she said.
(Because if we hide, refuse to talk, and all our officers claim they know nothing, we only make it look like we have something to hide.)
In an interview last February, Sen. Marcos clarified that there were no conflicts within their family, saying that she and the president are on good terms.