Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro strongly dismissed allegations made by former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson that masked individuals who caused trouble during Sunday’s anti-corruption rally were paid by First Lady Liza Marcos.
“Malaking kasinungalingan! Huwag nilang ipahid ang mga gawain nilang kriminal kay First Lady Liza Marcos,” Castro declared on Monday, rejecting the accusations outright.
Singson, in an interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel’s “At The Forefront,” recounted that a group of masked protesters approached his food truck in Quezon City, removed their masks, and apologized, saying they had been paid to join the disturbance. He claimed they identified the First Lady and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez as the supposed financiers.
“Meron grupo na nakamaskara, pinapalo yung gate, sumisigaw ng ‘corrupt, corrupt, corrupt.’ Tinanong ko sila, sino kayo, bakit ganyan? Nagtanggal sila ng maskara at sabi, pasensya na kayo binayaran lang po kami,” Singson said. He later suggested a third party could have been manipulating the situation.
The protest, which was largely peaceful, turned chaotic when some rioters clashed with police in Manila. Authorities reported that over 100 people were arrested after incidents of stone-throwing, vandalism, and firebomb attacks.
