MANILA — Malacañang rejected claims circulating on social media that former President Rodrigo Duterte was responsible for the Marcos family’s return to power, while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allegedly sentenced Duterte to death abroad.
During a press briefing on Monday (24 Mar 2025), Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that it was the Filipino people, not any individual, who elected Marcos as president.
“Filipinos, not just one person, brought President Marcos back into power. He has proven his capabilities as a leader,” Castro stated.
She also reminded the public that Duterte himself once questioned Marcos’ leadership abilities, calling him a weak leader.
Duterte, now detained in The Hague, Netherlands, faces charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC). He was arrested by Interpol and local authorities on March 11, 2025.
ia/mnm
