Malacañang on Friday intensified its attacks against former Environment Secretary and ex-Quezon City Rep. Mike Defensor, accusing him of orchestrating “dirty tricks” aimed at smearing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. or destabilizing the government.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Claire Castro, speaking at a Palace press briefing, described as “fishy” Defensor’s alleged link to a recent controversy involving claims of a multi-billion-peso bribe supposedly packed in several pieces of luggage and allegedly masterminded by Marcos, as revealed by lawyer Levi Baligod alongside 18 former Philippine Marines.

Castro suggested the move was part of a broader attempt to oust the President and install what she referred to as a “poon” — a term she said is being associated with the Dutertes.

“Sa lahat ng mga ginagawa nila, lalong-lalo na ang paninira na walang basehan, at kung sino ba ang mga taong nasa likod nito — sila rin naman ang mga taong nais pabagsakin ang gobyernong ito at patalsikin ang Pangulo sa puwesto at iluklok ang kanilang ‘poon,’” Castro said.

She added that Senator Panfilo Lacson may be aware of such tactics, recalling past controversies allegedly involving Defensor.

Castro also cited former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Winnie Monsod, quoting her as saying: “Defensor has a history of either influencing witnesses, training witnesses, or making witnesses disappear.”

Defensor earlier denied being behind the press conference held in San Juan City by Baligod and the 18 former Marines.

Castro also referenced the case of Ador Mawanay, who in 2011 implicated Lacson in a controversy but later retracted his statement, claiming he had been pressured.

“So iyan ay mga gawa-gawang witnesses para masira ang mga taong nais lamang nilang siraan. Iyan po ang nararanasan natin ngayon — same pattern,” she said.

In a radio interview on Friday, Defensor admitted he helped the 18 Marines but denied meeting them face-to-face.

“Kahit na ’yung paghanap sa kanila, hindi ko sila nakikita noong mga panahong ’yon for security reasons. Si Atty. Levi lang talaga ang kausap nila. Hindi ko sila nakakaharap. Wala akong pag-uusap sa kanila. In fact, after na lang ng presscon ko na lang sila nakaharap,” Defensor said.