Metro Manila, Philippines – Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro responded to a social media video released by Senator Imee Marcos that referred to an “impakta,” saying the label better fits those who produced it than its intended target.
The exchange came after Marcos released a social media video suggesting there was an “ICC” inside Malacañang. The video implied that the acronym stood for “Impakang Clai” before ending without completing the phrase, prompting reporters to ask the palace official about the post during Wednesday’s briefing
Asked whether she believed the video was referring to her, Castro first said she does not normally use insulting language against others.
“Hindi ako sanay sa mga ganoong salita, hindi ako normal na nagsasalita ng ad hominem sa kapwa ko.”
(Translation: I’’m not used to using those kinds of words. I don’t normally resort to ad hominem attacks against other people.)
Castro then said the people behind the video best fit the description they used.
“Kung sila ang nakapag-describe ng ganoong salita alam nila kung anong ibig sabihin nito, alam nila ang description ng salitang ‘impakta.’ It takes one to know one.”
(Translation: If they were the ones who came up with that description, then they know what it means. They know the description of the word ‘impakta.’ It takes one to know one.)
She said those involved in producing the video—not its intended target—should be associated with the label.
“Kaya kung sila ay affected sa aking mga nababanggit dahil tayo ay kumakalaban sa fake news… sino ngayon ang naglalarawan ng totoong ‘impakta’? Iyong gumawa ng video, iyong kasama sa video, iyong nagdirek ng video.”
(Translation: If they are affected by what I have been saying because we are fighting fake news, then who truly fits the description of an ‘impakta’? The one who made the video, those who appeared in it and the one who directed it.)
Castro also mocked the senator’s camp, saying she had no intention of taking the “crown.”
“At huwag silang mag-alala ang korona ay nasa kanila – na kay Senator Imee at sa mga grupo nila at hindi natin kayang agawin ito mula sa kanila. Wala ako sa kalingkingan ni Senator Imee para sa ganiyang klaseng deskripsyon. Sila ay nasa maximum level.”
(Translation: They should not worry because the crown belongs to them—to Senator Imee and her group—and I have no intention of taking it from them. I can’t compare myself to Senator Imee when it comes to that kind of description. They are at the maximum level.)
