Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio on Thursday expressed support for Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro, calling on the Marcos administration to retain her as the Palace’s sole regular press briefer.
In a statement issued in his personal capacity—and not as spokesperson of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino—Topacio aligned himself with what he described as a “snowballing” online movement to keep Castro in her current role, citing her signature humor and candor in delivering government updates.
“In a government where the great majority of officials take themselves far too seriously, Castro is a breath of fresh air,” Topacio said, noting that her briefings provide “laughter and levity” amid persistent national issues like inflation, flooding, poverty, and political polarization.
Topacio further claimed Castro’s presence is one of the few things uniting Filipinos across political and social lines.
“If there is one thing that supporters of the President, the Vice-President, opposition parties of all political spectrums and citizens of all sexual preferences can agree on, it is that Atty. Castro is an extremely funny individual,” he said.
He warned that removing her would be “an act of deep selfishness” and urged the public to rally in support of her continued tenure.
As of writing, neither the PCO nor Malacañang has confirmed or denied any plans to reassign or remove Castro.