MANILA — Malacañang said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains focused on his responsibilities despite political controversies, including allegations made by his sister, Senator Imee Marcos.

Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said the Chief Executive is committed to his public duties, noting that the President was in Bicol overseeing relief efforts for communities affected by a recent typhoon.

“Patuloy ang trabaho ng Pangulo natin. As we speak, the President is in Bicol right now checking on the relief operations sa mga nasalanta natin kababayan sa nung huling bagyo. So, nagtatrabaho ang Pangulo natin as we speak,” Gomez said in an interview over ANC Tuesday.

“Governance does not stop. At napakalaki ‘yung hamon sa atin. Napakalaki ng responsibilidad ng ating Pangulo. And he will not stop. He will not dignify any and all of these wild allegations that are swirling around at the moment,” he added.

Gomez dismissed circulating accusations against the President as baseless and “very laughable,” citing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ warning about a “pandemic of lies.”

“And if I may quote the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, sinabi na rin ng ating mga obispo na currently we have a pandemic of lies. Nakakalungkot man pero napakaraming kasinungalingan na ang lumilipad left and right,” he said.

He urged the public to verify information before sharing it. “Siguro sa ating mga mamamayan, maging mapanuri tayo sa mga impormasyon na natatanggap natin at sinishare natin. Dahil napakadali, parang napakadali na ngayong magsinungaling sa mga panahon na ito.”

Addressing Senator Imee Marcos’ claim, Gomez said the allegation was neither new nor credible, adding that the issue had already surfaced during the 2022 campaign period.

“Nagpa-drug test ang Pangulo sa isang reputable na ospital sa St. Luke’s at ang resulta ng drug test na yun, negative sa cocaine use. Ang resulta ng drug test na ‘yun ay mahigit 30 million Filipinos voted for Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to be the next president. So lumang tugtugin na. And if I may quote a cliche, this has seemed to be a tale as old as time,” he said.

“Nakakalungkot nga na nanggaling pa ito sa sarili mong kapatid. Napaka-pambihira ito sa kultura nating mga Pilipino. Kaya hindi na nga idi-dignify ng Pangulo ito. Hindi papatulan ng Pangulo natin ito,” Gomez added.

Gomez reiterated that the accusation would not have any impact on the President’s work or the administration.