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Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang rejected claims of a supposed term-sharing agreement between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the chief executive remains committed to completing his six-year mandate. Palace press officer Claire Castro said the president never entered into any agreement to step down before the end of his term. “Ang pangulo po, hindi po iyan mangangampanya para lang po ibigay ang posisyon kahit kanino,” Castro said.[Translation: The president does not campaign just to hand over the position to anyone.] She said Marcos was elected to serve the public and intends to fulfill that commitment. “Nangako po siya na maglilingkod sa taumbayan at tatapusin ang kaniyang termino para sa bayan,” she added.[Translation: He promised to serve the people and complete his term for the country.] Castro also said such allegations have no basis. “Siya po ay nagulat dahil hindi po ganoon ang pangulo,” she said.[Translation:…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  Malacañang said it is up to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into allegations of a supposed assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., following claims raised during the House impeachment hearing. Palace press officer Claire Castro said probe bodies are mandated to act on such threats. “Hindi na po kailangang mag-utos ng pangulo para imbestigahan ito. Ang NBI po ay may obligasyon na imbestigahan ito,” Castro said. [Translation: The president does not need to order an investigation. The NBI has the obligation to investigate this.] Castro said Malacañang has no personal knowledge of the alleged plot, which was raised by self-confessed Duterte aide Ramil Madriaga during the proceedings. “Hindi na nga po bago ito, ang pagbabanta sa buhay ng pangulo,” Castro said.[Translation: Threats to the president’s life are nothing new.] Madriaga told the House committee on justice that former President Rodrigo Duterte and…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has accepted the resignation of National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, who is stepping down after decades in government and military service. The president has appointed Eduardo Oban Jr. to the post. In a statement, Malacañang said Año retired from public service, citing health reasons that require his full attention. Año confirmed his resignation in a separate statement. “In recent months it has become apparent that I must prioritize my health and well-being,” he said, The Palace thanked Año for his service and recognized his role in strengthening the national security framework, advancing counterterrorism efforts, and coordinating across the security sector amid evolving regional and global challenges. Meanwhile, Oban, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1979, was former military chief of staff as well as deputy chief of staff for plans and head of the Visiting Forces Agreement Commission. Malacañang…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Imee Marcos has denied claims of a supposed term-sharing agreement between her brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and Vice President Sara Duterte — an allegation raised by supposed Duterte bagman Ramil Madriaga during an impeachment hearing. “Sinungaling ka, Madriaga [Madriaga, you’re a liar],” Marcos said in a press conference on Wednesday, April 15.  Marcos recalled events leading to the 2022 presidential elections, when she coined the term “UniTeam” for the Marcos-Duterte tandem. She said term-sharing was not discussed. She also called on the president to set the record straight and correct what she described as Madriaga’s false statements. “Bongbong, Pangulong Marcos, alam mo ang katotohanan, nandon ka magkasama tayo. Kung hindi mo ito ipinag-uutos, walang dahilan para hindi mo itama ang kasinungalingan na ito. Wag mong kunsintihin ang mga pultiikong ginagamit ang sinungaling na si Madriaga,” the presidential sister said.  [Translation: Bongbong, President Marcos, you…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte rejected accusations that she needed someone to get through law school, but stopped short of addressing claims that millions in confidential funds were disposed of in less than one day. Duterte issued the statement on Wednesday, April 15 in response to her self-confessed bagman, Ramil Madriaga, who testified before the House justice committee on Tuesday, April 14. Madriaga said Duterte needed help to enter San Sebastian College law school, as she was supposedly struggling in her academics and being rude to other students. The vice president said among all the allegations presented, she takes issue with the claim, noting that she finished her studies on her own terms. “I placed a higher premium on living a well-rounded life rather than pursuing academic excellence. I never asked any professor for special accommodation for my grades because the bare minimum was easy enough to…