MANILA, Philippines — A report claiming that Vice President Sara Duterte wanted to meet privately with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has been disputed by her camp, with defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa dismissing the claim as “fake news.”
The rumor surfaced amid renewed speculation about the political relationship between Marcos and Duterte, particularly as the Vice President faces an ongoing impeachment trial before the Senate.
Poa, who serves as spokesperson for Duterte’s defense team, rejected the report that the Vice President had sought a private meeting with the President. The denial was also reported by major Philippine news organizations, including GMA News and ABS-CBN News.
The Palace, however, has taken a more cautious position.
On August 17, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Malacañang could not confirm reports that Duterte had requested a meeting with Marcos. She said the Palace had no information confirming such a request at that time.
Castro nevertheless reiterated that Marcos remains open to dialogue, including with people who disagree with him.
The Palace stressed that this should not be interpreted as a specific offer for a meeting with Duterte. Rather, it reflects Marcos’ previously stated position that he is willing to communicate with people despite political differences.
Why the rumor gained attention
The speculation emerged at a politically sensitive moment.
Duterte is currently facing an impeachment trial before the Senate, while her defense team continues to challenge allegations raised by House prosecutors. At the same time, rumors about Duterte’s political plans and her relationship with the Marcos administration have circulated widely online.
One recent report cited claims that Duterte could be considering a political arrangement involving her resignation and a possible 2028 presidential bid. However, these reports have not been established as fact. Inquirer.net reported that Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon acknowledged the rumors but said the House prosecution team’s objective remained focused on presenting its case against Duterte.
That distinction is important: there is currently no verified evidence that Marcos and Duterte have agreed to a private political meeting, nor that a resignation deal has been reached.
Fake news becomes another issue surrounding the impeachment battle
The controversy also comes as misinformation has become an increasingly visible issue surrounding Duterte’s impeachment case.
On August 21, the House prosecution panel announced that it would coordinate with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to investigate fabricated statements circulating online, including a fake statement falsely attributed to Poa. Poa himself publicly disowned that statement.
The House panel said the incident underscored the need to identify those responsible for fabricated content and its subsequent amplification on social media.
The Palace has likewise repeatedly warned about the dangers of misinformation. Marcos himself recently emphasized the role of responsible and independent media in ensuring that facts prevail over speculation and fake news.
What is confirmed so far?
Based on available statements from the Palace and Duterte’s defense camp:
- Poa has rejected the report that Sara Duterte sought a private meeting with Marcos, calling it fake news.
- Malacañang has not confirmed that Duterte requested such a meeting.
- Marcos remains open to dialogue, but the Palace clarified that this is not confirmation of a planned meeting with Duterte.
- Rumors of a resignation or political deal remain unverified.
- Authorities and lawmakers are increasingly focused on fabricated political content online, including fake statements attributed to officials and lawyers involved in the impeachment proceedings.
For now, the alleged Marcos-Duterte meeting remains unconfirmed, while Poa’s denial adds another layer to an increasingly heated information battle surrounding the Vice President’s impeachment trial.
The bigger question is no longer simply whether Marcos and Duterte will sit down and talk—it is who is behind the claims circulating online, and what political purpose they may serve as the impeachment battle moves forward.
Leave a Reply