Palace Press Officer Claire Castro during the Palace briefing on February 16, 2026. Screen grabbed from RTVM’s livestream.
Malacañang criticized Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco on Monday over his allegation that lawmakers were being bribed in connection with efforts to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the claim lacked supporting proof and should be substantiated before being made public.
She made the remarks during a briefing when asked to respond to Tiangco’s statements, which raised concerns among some lawmakers about possible political implications tied to the impeachment issue.
Castro said there has been no evidence presented to support allegations of vote-buying in the House of Representatives.
She also noted that accountability for alleged irregularities in government projects should be pursued regardless of political position.
The Palace official said public officials are expected to avoid statements that could undermine institutions without factual basis.
Castro added that unverified claims could mislead the public and contribute to the spread of misinformation.
She reiterated the administration’s position that allegations should be backed by evidence and addressed through proper channels.
