‘Marcoleta, Magalong not part of government destabilization plot’

MANILA, Philippines — Insinuations that Sen. Rodante Marcoleta is part of a supposed destabilization plot against the Marcos administration are fake news, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday.

In an interview with dzMM, Remulla dismissed the allegations circulating online, stressing that he does not believe Marcoleta is involved in any attempt to oust President Marcos.

“Senator Marcoleta may be outspoken, but he’s just focused on doing his job,” he said in Filipino.

The claims originated from media personality Ramon Tulfo who, in a viral social media post, named Marcoleta among those allegedly behind the destabilization attempt.

Tulfo also accused Vice President Sara Duterte, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte and former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson of financing the supposed plot.

“I do not believe that these personalities are behind it. I think it’s a lot of baloney, a lot of fake news,” Remulla said.

He likewise defended Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who was also included in Tulfo’s list of officials “for confirmation.”

According to Remulla, the threat level of any destabilization move is minimal.

“From a scale of one to 10 with 10 as the highest, the threat has a rank of about 1.5,” he said.

The DILG secretary added that the Armed Forces of the Philippines remains fully supportive of the Marcos administration, making the likelihood of any plot succeeding very low.

The public is urged to verify information they encounter online, cautioning against the spread of misleading posts.

“Fake news is the hardest thing to deal with – it’s easy to believe, but their sources are unverifiable,” he said.