Malacañang on Wednesday dismissed as fake a circulating memorandum that allegedly orders intensified operations to boost the administration’s approval ratings and recommends removing Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
In a press briefing at Malacañang, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the document is fabricated.
“It’s fake news. It’s fake, so don’t bother with it,” Castro said, warning the public against misinformation and false documents supposedly signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
“Let’s not believe fake documents being spread around. Fake news is trending these days,” she added.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año also denied the authenticity of a separate document circulating on social media, which claims that the United States is pressuring the Philippine government to prioritize the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“That is totally fake news and fabrication. There is no such document in our records or in the Office of the Executive Secretary,” Año told GMA News Online.
The memo allegedly detailed a virtual meeting between Año and U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz, and bore the letterhead of the National Security Council. It claimed the U.S. expressed concern over Vice President Duterte’s strong political standing and advised her impeachment to mitigate “political risks” that could hinder President Marcos’ governance.
Officials from Malacañang and the NSC reiterated that no such meeting or communication took place.