Malacañang denied allegations that the Marcos administration coordinated with the International Criminal Court in connection with the ongoing confirmation of charges proceedings in The Hague.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro rejected claims linking President Bongbong Marcos to the ICC process and said the administration would not interfere in the hearings.
“It is possible that, whatever their motives are, they want to strip the ICC of its credibility and integrity. But we are more concerned about the lies they are throwing at our president,” Castro said during a press briefing.
She added that the administration would respect the court’s processes.
“The president and his whole administration will not interfere in the said hearing. If the former president chose not to appear in public, that is his decision,” Castro said. “If the ICC permitted him not to show up at his own hearing, we will respect that.”
Castro also denied any “secret agreement” between President Marcos and the ICC.
The remarks came after former congressman Mike Defensor spoke about a supposed second batch of former soldiers prepared to speak on allegations involving cash deliveries tied to flood control projects.
“Mike Defensor, the known wonder boy. Many of his speeches encourage our countrymen to remove our president from office. We already know the motive,” Castro said in Filipino.
She compared the situation to Ador Mawanay, who in 2001 claimed to be a civilian agent of a police task force before later recanting.
“Mike Defensor again, Ador Mawanay 2.0 the word Mawanay is known because he was allegedly forced to make fake narratives,” she said.
Lawyer Levy Baligod, counsel for former military personnel who executed a joint affidavit, confirmed that the sworn statements were finalized and notarized on Feb. 23 and submitted to provide the Office of the Ombudsman a basis to examine possible violations of anti-graft and accountability laws. He said the decision to go public was independent.
Malacañang reiterated that the administration will not interfere in domestic or international legal proceedings and denied any coordination with the ICC.
