“Kung may pagbibintang sa Pangulo, ‘yung nagbibintang ang dapat na magpatunay—kung may ginagamit man o wala.”
This was the challenge of Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro to the individuals that accused President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of using illegal drugs.
During Thursday’s press briefing, Castro slammed those spreading the drug involvement allegations that have no basis and proof at all.
These drug allegations against PBBM resurfaced after the Congress inquiry on fake news revealed that former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque was the mastermind behind the Polvoron Video.
In July 2024, a video of a man who looked like Marcos “sniffing” illegal substance spread online, before the president’s SONA.
During the fact-checking and prior investigation regarding the said video, findings revealed that the content may be manipulated or tampered.
With the issue resurfacing in the present, calls for Marcos to take a hair follicle test also resurfaced.
Amidst this, Castro argued that the President should not be the one to prove his innocence.
Rather, it should be those who accuse him of such allegations.
“Ano po ba ang basehan sa paghingi at i-demand sa Pangulo ang isang hair follicle test? Ito po ba ay may pagbibintang na sya ay di umanong gumagamit ng ilegal na droga?,” she said.
“Kayo po na nagbibintang, kayo na humihingi at nagdedemand sa Pangulo, kayo po muna ang magpatunay na mayroon syang ginagawang mali. Kapag wala po kayong napatunayan, wala po kayong karapatan humingi sa Pangulo ng anumang demand patungkol sa hair follicle test,” she added.
Castro further noted that the recent revelations in the congress over Roque’s alleged role in the spread of the issue is not new news for the President.
She added that the President is letting the law enforcement agencies to deal with the investigations and necessary actions regarding the matter.