Statement of Malacañang Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro on Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson’s Remarks
Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro reacted to the call of Chavit Singson for a rally against Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
When the flood control mess broke out, one of those who spoke against Marcos Jr. was former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson who endorsed him in 2022. He previously suggested that the investigation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI should start in Ilocos Norte, the bailiwick of the President.
According to Singson, the companies owned by controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya allegedly have several flood control projects in Ilocos Norte. The ICI is an independent body that was formed upon Marcos Jr.’s order to investigate the flood control issue.
Recently, former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson called on the youth to join a “one time, big time” rally against Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Aside from the youth, he also urged the religious organizations to join the march to Malacañang.
According to Singson, the anti-Marcos rally should be done the soonest time possible but he did not cite a specific date. He claimed that he is open to lead the anti-Marcos rally in February in time with the EDSA People Power Revolution.
The call of the former Ilocos Sur Governor came after two (2) big rallies were previously held against corruption. The so-called Trillion Peso March was held last September and November and it gathered thousands of Filipinos including several showbiz celebrities.
Malacañang previously claimed that Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not worried over the rallies as he knows that it is against corruption. The President also previously claimed that he might be on the streets, too, if he is not the country’s leader.
On the recent remarks of former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson calling on the youth and the religious organizations to join the anti-Marcos rally, Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro was asked about her opinion.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Atty. Claire Castro called Chavit Singson’s move as allegedly “inciting to sedition”. The Malacañang press official also raised a question.
“For me, my take, it is inciting to sedition. As a lawyer, ‘yung pag engganya niya na patalsikin ang Pangulo inciting to sedition. Ang tanong – may na-engganya ba siya?” the Malacañang Official told DZMM.
Atty. Castro also spoke on former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson challenging Pres. Bongbong Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to a debate over the flood control issue. Based on the report, she stressed that Marcos Jr. is very busy.
“Napaka-busy ng Pangulo. Pag-aaral pa lang ng budget walang bakasyon. Ang pagdedebate ay hindi sagot para maibsan ang corruption…Ang sagot dito ay aksyon, hindi bakasyon,” she expressed.
Amid the controversial demise of one of the government officials tagged in the flood control mess, former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson also expressed his doubts on the death of former DPWH Usec. Maria Catalina Cabral.