Malacañang has addressed the online buzz surrounding a photo showing Presidential Communications Secretary Jay Ruiz with Alan Bantiles, a figure linked to the controversial case of the missing sabungeros.
The image, which surfaced on social media, appeared to capture Ruiz and Bantiles during a dinner gathering. Some netizens questioned the context, given Bantiles’ involvement in the high-profile cockfighting disappearance case.
According to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, the photo was taken during a birthday celebration hosted by a social media content creator, which Ruiz attended after receiving an invitation.
“Ang nakausap po natin mismo ay si Secretary Jay Ruiz… Ayon sa kaniya, ito raw ay kaarawan ng isang social content creator, social media content creator. At kung siya man ay nakumbida, ito ay kaniyang pinaunlakan,” Castro explained.
She added that Ruiz had no control over the guest list and was unaware of who else would be in attendance. “Pero kung sinuman iyong mga nakasama doon na kinumbida ng nagsi-celebrate ng birthday, hindi na po niya hawak iyon,” she clarified.
The Palace emphasized there was no political context to the photo and urged the public not to draw unfounded conclusions from a casual social event.
