MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday dismissed claims circulating that Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro had stepped down from his position.
“Fake news yan, may mga desperado na gumagawa ng storya, wala naman silang naibibigay at naitutulong sa buhay ng mga mamamayang Pilipino,” Marcos said, addressing the rumors.
(This is fake news coming from desperate people making up stories. They have no intention to help our fellow Filipinos.)
He emphasized that these rumors were meant to create discord, urging the public not to be easily swayed by baseless claims. “Paninira at panggugulo lamang. Mag-ingat tayo, wag tayo masyadong naniniwala [dahil] wala naman pruweba sa kanilang mga sinasabi,” Marcos added.
(This is nonsense trying to sow discord. We have to be careful. Let us not believe those who do not have proof to what they are saying.)
Speculations about Teodoro’s resignation spread across social media, primarily from anonymous sources. Marcos said both he and Teodoro found the rumors amusing and laughed them off.
He recounted his conversation with Teodoro, where the latter jokingly asked if the president was letting him go. “Bakit naman kita paaalisin eh wala naman tayo problema?” Marcos responded.
(Why would I let you go if we do not have a problem?)
The President assured that any changes in the Cabinet would come from official announcements. “Kung mayroong magbabago sa gabinete o sa pamahalaan, kami ang mag-aannounce… Sa kasalukuyan, sa araw na ito, walang pagbabago,” Marcos said.
(If there will be changes in the Cabinet or the government, we will be the first ones to announce. As of today, nothing changes.)
On the same day, Marcos led the distribution of cash assistance in Navotas City, specifically for fisherfolk impacted by an oil spill last June. Each family received P7,000 in cash and 10 kilos of rice.
DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong also issued a statement clarifying that there was “no truth” to the rumors of Teodoro’s resignation. “We call on those who purposely propagate unfounded lies to be circumspect and refrain from spreading misinformation and disinformation,” Andolong stated.
Meanwhile, Communication Secretary Cesar Chavez confirmed that Teodoro remained in his post and maintained the President’s full trust. “The President’s full trust and confidence in Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro has never wavered,” Chavez added.