PBBM focused on governance; unperturbed by new Duterte coalition

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro (PNA photo by Darryl John Esguerra)

MANILA – Malacañang on Monday said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains focused on governance and is unfazed by political criticisms and emerging opposition alliances amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed that the President is prioritizing solutions to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices and protect Filipinos.

“Ang Pangulo po ay hindi namumulitika, ang Pangulo po ay nagtatrabaho (The President is not engaging in politics; the President is working),” Castro said.

Castro made the statement following criticism from the Makabayan bloc, which claimed the administration’s response to the energy crisis has been limited to rollbacks and targeted subsidies.

She rejected the criticism, calling it baseless.

“Para sabihin na walang ginagawa… ito po ay napakalaking kasinungalingan (To say that nothing is being done… that is a big lie),” she said.

The Palace also downplayed the formation of the Reform Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability (RAGE) Coalition, led by Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, saying it will not distract the administration.

She added that early political maneuvering amid a crisis will not be entertained by the administration.

“Hindi na po iyan papansinin ng Pangulo… tutok na bigyang solusyon ang nararanasan natin (The President will not pay attention to that… he is focused on solving what we are experiencing),” Castro said.

The RAGE Coalition, launched Sunday in San Juan City, brings together allies of the Duterte family and other political figures, positioning itself as a multisectoral alliance advocating accountability and governance reforms.

Despite intensifying political rhetoric, Castro said the administration remains open to constructive proposals.

She emphasized the government’s continued focus on addressing the energy crisis through targeted subsidies, transport support, and other interventions under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee which is chaired by the President.