MANILA – Malacañang accused Sen. Imee Marcos of trying to undermine the administration, saying her recent remarks appear to be part of an effort to remove President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. from office in favor of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Speaking to reporters, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the senator’s statements during a rally in Quezon City were intended to stir public anger against the government.

“Namutawi kay Senator Imee Marcos ang mga salitang magpapaigting ng galit sa gobyerno – ang paninira sa Pangulo at sa gobyernong ito. Nakakaawa, nakakaawa ang mga obstructionists na tulad ng isang senadora (Senator Imee Marcos uttered words that would amplify anger against the government — these are attacks against the President and this administration. Obstructionist like this lady senator are pitiful),” Castro said.

Castro described the senator’s criticisms as “fake news” and alleged that they were intended to incite hatred against the administration.

She also rejected the allegations against the President as “baseless,” saying Sen. Marcos appeared to be “blind, pretending not to see, or simply closing her eyes to the truth” in an attempt to weaken the government.

“Hindi lang ito pagkakalat ng fake news, paghahasik nga ng poot sa ating mga kababayan. At ano ba ang nais nilang mangyari? Noon pa naman niya nais umalis sa posisyon ang Pangulo for what? Para iluklok ang kaniyang kaibigan, ang Bise Presidente (This is not just fake news — it is also sowing hatred among our people. And what do they want to happen? It seems she has long wanted the President removed from office so that her friend, the Vice President, could be installed),” Castro said.

The Palace official also questioned the timing of the senator’s criticisms, saying she had remained “silent” when former president Rodrigo Duterte admitted to using illegal drugs.

Castro said President Marcos has been informed of his sister’s remarks but will not direct authorities to investigate her.

“Hindi mag-uutos ang Pangulo na imbestigahan ang kaniyang kapatid, nasa authority na iyan kung kinakailangang imbestigahan si Senator Imee Marcos. Hindi po tayo mag-uutos, obligasyon po nilang mag-imbestiga (The President will not order an investigation against his sister. It’s up with the authorities if Senator Imee Marcos needs to be investigated. We will not order it — it is their duty to investigate),” she said.

When asked whether Sen. Marcos should be held accountable for her statements, Castro said it would be up to the proper authorities to determine whether an investigation is necessary.

During a surprise rally by members of the Iglesia ni Cristo at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City on Tuesday, Sen. Marcos criticized the administration, saying it was “disgusting” that the government appeared to be neglecting the concerns of ordinary Filipinos while focusing more on engagements abroad than on pressing domestic issues.