Malacañang Palace has denounced allegations linking First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos to the death of Paolo Tantoco, who passed away on 8 March 2025.
Last week, the Medical Examiner of Los Angeles County disclosed that Tantoco died due to cocaine effects. However, authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro slammed reports made by “obstructionists” that point to the First Lady as being knowledgeable of the events in Los Angeles on 8 March.
“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 during a press briefing on Tuesday.
She also clarified that Tantoco was not part of the official entourage of the First Lady, contrary to claims made by individuals who were “privy” to the information.
“It’s shameful because they made a fake police report. They are supposed to be journalists, former spokespeople. They don’t know how to investigate themselves. They are not journalists if they become propagandists of their own interests,” Castro noted.
While Castro did not identify who the “obstructionists” were, Facebook posts by former journalist and Palace spokesperson Rigoberto Tiglao included details related to the matter, including a supposed police report from Los Angeles authorities.
“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.
Palace officials also explained that the First Lady was provided a separate security detail in the United States, aside from the Presidential Security Command (PSC), which travels with a large motorcade. The First Lady also stayed at a different hotel during that time.
She was in Los Angeles, California, to promote the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF).
On 8 March, the First Lady attended a concert celebrating the successful MIFF at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. She was accompanied by Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, and other members of her delegation.
“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 and it’s sad because they’re fooling fellow Filipinos for their personal interests.”
She urged the “propagandists” to stop misleading the public.
“Have mercy on the country, have mercy on the people. Don’t fool the Filipinos,” Castro stressed.
“So, muli sa mga journalist na nagpapanggap na kayo ay journalist, pero lumalabas na kayo ay propagandista, maawa po kayo sa bansa, maawa po kayo sa taumbayan. Huwag po ninyong lokohin ang mga Filipino.”
Castro said the First Lady is unbothered by the issue, as she stands by the truth.
“The First Lady has nothing to worry about because she knows the truth and can see those records herself. So what should be worried about are those who are criticizing her because they will not destroy this administration with this fake news,” she said.
The Palace officer emphasized that the role of the administration is to show what the President is doing and how the government is working to uplift the public.
Meanwhile, Castro said the First Couple is looking into filing charges against fake news peddlers who linked them to Tantoco’s death.
“That will be studied. It seems timely, but it will be studied,” she said, referring to the possibility of filing cases. “It should not remain like this because when a journalist or part of the media tells a lie, our fellow Filipinos may believe it. That is sad and a bit embarrassing.”