MALACAÑANG rejected allegations that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. used illegal drugs in his youth, pointing to a reported kidney donation he allegedly made to his late father as proof that he was healthy.
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro raised the point during a Palace briefing in response to Sen. Imee Marcos’ claim at an Iglesia Ni Cristo rally on Nov. 17 that her brother had used drugs.
“Parang may nabasa ako sa isang news na ang ating Pangulo ay nag-donate ng kaniyang kidney sa kaniyang ama,” Castro said. “Papaano po kaya makakapag-donate ng kidney ang isang tao na hindi healthy?”
Castro questioned the senator’s motives, calling the allegations unfounded.
“So banat o pagmamahal? Pagmamahal ba ang paninira sa sariling kapatid—paninirang walang basehan?” she asked.
She accused Sen. Marcos of protecting people involved in corruption cases and “mga taong umamin na murderer” instead of supporting the President’s anti-corruption efforts.
“Mas pinoprotektahan niya ang mga taong may issue about corruption. Mas pinoprotektahan niya ang mga taong umamin na murderer,” she said. “Kesa sa kapatid niya na nagsasagawa lamang ng pagpapaimbestiga para mawala, masugpo ang korapsyon sa bansa.”
Castro added that the President would not be swayed by “noisy” critics.
“Hindi po tayo magpapadala kung ano ang sinasabi ng maiingay… ang Pangulo po ay malinis,” she said.
