PALACE: DUTERTES SEEKING TO REGAIN POWER

Malacañang accused former president Rodrigo Duterte and his allies of defaming the government to reclaim power, as tensions between the Marcos administration and the Duterte camp escalate. Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro dismissed Duterte’s claims about impeachment efforts against Vice President Sara Duterte and accusations of a gold reserve sale as baseless. The CIDG confirmed it is willing to testify against VP Sara if called in her impeachment trial, which stemmed from alleged misuse of confidential funds and assassination threats. Senate President Francis Escudero and other lawmakers defended President Marcos, rejecting Duterte’s allegations of dictatorial tendencies as “inconsistent and untrue.”