Malacañang on Tuesday said the Marcos family has been the target of fake news since the relationship between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte soured.

“Ever since, they have been targeted by fake news. This is not new. Ever since VP Sara's attitude towards the Marcos family has not been good, the fake news started,” said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro during a briefing.

The tension between the two leaders erupted in 2024 after Duterte resigned as Education Secretary.

She later expressed regret for having supported Marcos in the 2022 elections, stating they were not really friends but merely running mates. In response, Marcos said he may have been deceived.

The rift deepened when Duterte allegedly “threatened” to have the First Couple and House Speaker Martin Romualdez assassinated if anything were to happen to her.

Recently, the First Couple has been the subject of various fake news reports. Earlier this month, claims surfaced that First Lady Liza Marcos had been detained by law enforcement in Los Angeles, California. Malacañang dismissed the story as false, confirming that the First Lady had returned from her U.S. trip.

Last Saturday, Mrs. Marcos faced criticism online for posting what netizens claimed was a “photoshopped” picture. The First Lady had met with the Asian Cultural Council at the Pangarap Clubhouse in Malacañang Park on Friday. Critics pointed to inconsistencies in the photo, such as lighting, resolution, and seating posture. Malacañang rejected the accusations and challenged critics to provide proof.

On Sunday, the First Lady posted another photo with her family, prompting more speculation online that President Marcos had been “inserted” into the image. Castro dismissed the claims as “laughable.”

“It’s funny. First, who said it was edited? Shouldn't those claiming it was edited prove it? Were they present at the occasion? Were they at the venue on those days? Whoever says everything was edited should show the evidence,” she said.

While the fake news against the Marcos family gained momentum after the PBBM-VP Sara fallout, Malacañang clarified that it was not accusing anyone of spreading misinformation.

“I am not accusing anybody, but a lot of people are propagating misinformation against the President and the country,” Castro said.

As for the impact on President Marcos, Castro said he was “slightly affected” but continues to monitor social media to stay updated on the political climate.

In response, Marcos directed the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to lead the fight against fake news, not only for his sake but for the country’s.

“In a way, he is slightly affected, so that’s why he asked the PCO to do its job to counter fake news not only for himself but for the country,” Castro said.