Malacañang on Tuesday said the First Couple is considering filing charges against those spreading false claims linking First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos to the death of Paolo Tantoco, the Rustan’s heir who died last 8 March.
“That will be studied. It seems timely, but it will be studied,” said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro. “It should not remain like this because if a journalist or a part of the media tells a lie, our fellow Filipinos may believe it. So that is sad and a bit embarrassing.”
The Los Angeles County medical examiner confirmed Tantoco died of “cocaine effects.” The authorities said the investigation is ongoing.
Castro denounced the accusations against the First Lady, saying the issue is being politicized to malign the administration.
“It’s sad because those private people who are mourning are being dragged into politics. Some obstructionists are using it to destroy the First Lady, the President, and this administration. What they are doing is shameful,” she said in Filipino in a news briefing on Tuesday.
She clarified that Tantoco was not part of the First Lady’s official entourage, contrary to claims made by some individuals who were “privy” to the information.
“It’s shameful because they made a fake police report, they are supposed to be journalists, former spokespersons, they don’t know how to investigate themselves. They are not journalists if they become propagandists of their own interests,” Castro said.
While Castro did not identify the “obstructionists,” Facebook posts of columnist and former Palace spokesperson Rigoberto Tiglao included details of the incident, including a supposed Los Angeles police report.
“The alleged police report posted on Facebook is a big lie. Even you yourself can investigate the said place, at the Beverly Hills Police Department, so you will know that what you posted on Facebook with the pink line, if I am not mistaken, that part was just added. The words ‘and the cause of initially suspected to be drug overdose,’ up to the word Miro that was just added,” Castro said.
Castro said the First Lady had her own US-based security detail, separate from the Presidential Security Command, and stayed at a different hotel during the trip.
Mrs. Marcos was in Los Angeles to promote the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF). On 8 March, she attended a concert celebrating the MIFF at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts accompanied by MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, and other delegation members.
“How can these obstructionists, these Facebook peddlers, say what they saw in the vicinity? That’s why they just added it,” Castro said. “It’s here on the First Lady’s Facebook. But even though it’s on Facebook, and it’s being reported, they’re trying to change the story.”
She urged the “propagandists” to stop deceiving the public. Castro said the First Lady was unbothered by the issue.
“The First Lady has nothing to worry about because she knows the truth and can see those records herself. So who should worry are those who are criticizing her because they will not destroy this administration with this fake news,” she said.