Erice chimed by Malacañang over ‘theories’ on Marcos, Romualdez

MANILA, Philippines — On Thursday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro challenged Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice to substantiate his recent criticisms of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s position on former Speaker Martin Romualdez, accusing the lawmaker of relying on “theory” and speculation rather than facts.

Erice, in an interview, described as mere “optics” Marcos’ remark in his recent State of the Nation Address that cases would soon be filed against his cousin in connection with the flood control mess.

READ: Sona 2026: Marcos says cases vs Romualdez to proceed

“Hindi naman totoo ‘yun, optics lang ‘yun (That isn’t true; it’s just for optics),” Erice told One News PH on Wednesday. “I don’t think that the President can afford to jail former Speaker Romualdez dahil laglagan na ‘yan (that could lead to everyone turning on each other)”

Castro, in squashing Erice’s claims, questioned why the lawmaker continues to receive interview invitations despite making statements that she said have no factual basis.

“Nagtataka nga ako kung bakit pa ini-interview itong si Congressman Erice dahil ang kaniyang mga sinasabi ay laging may ‘parang,’ ‘I think,’ ‘I don’t think.’ Lahat ay puro galing lang sa kaniyang isipan pero walang basehan, walang facts, puro theory,” said Castro in a briefing.

(I actually wonder why Congressman Erice is still being interviewed because what he says is always qualified with words like “perhaps,” “I think,” or “I don’t think.” Everything seems to come from his own thoughts, but there is no basis, no facts—just theories.)

She added, “Alam ninyo po sa gobyerno, hindi tayo dapat nabubuhay lagi sa theory, hindi tayo dapat laging nabubuhay sa paninira.”

(You know, in government, we should not always operate on theories, nor should we always operate on allegations and attacks.)

READ: Remulla: Romualdez behind bagmen’s tale

‘As if he knew’

Fuming Castro also criticized Erice for speaking as if he knew Marcos’ position, particularly regarding his claim that the President could not afford to have Romualdez jailed.

“Nakausap niya ba iyong Pangulo nang diretso para malaman niya kung anong damdamin ng Pangulo patungkol dito sa mga tao na nasasangkot sa flood control mess kasi kung hindi niya nakausap ang Pangulo at hindi niya alam ang damdamin ng Pangulo huwag siyang magsalita,” she said.

(Has he spoken directly with the President to know how the President feels about the people involved in the flood control mess? Because if he hasn’t spoken with the President and doesn’t know the President’s position, then he shouldn’t be speaking about it.)

“Huwag siyang magsalita na parang may alam siya sa sinasabi ng Pangulo. Wala siyang karapatan maging spokesperson ng Pangulo unless papalitan niya ako dito,” Castro added.

(He should not speak as if he knows what the President is saying. He has no right to speak on behalf of the President unless he replaces me as the President’s spokesperson.)

She further said. “So, kung ang binibigay niya lang ay iyong nasa isip niya patain na niya iyong nasa isip niya. Patayin niya na iyong kaniyang nasa isip dahil wala po iyang katotohanan.”

(If what he is offering is merely what is in his mind, he should just let go of those thoughts. He needs to dismiss those thoughts because they have no basis in truth.)

Castro wants to meet Erice

The Palace official also said she would like to personally confront Erice and ask him where he gets the basis for his statements.

“Si Congressman Erice ang isa sa pinakagusto kong makausap kaharap kayo at tatanungin ko siya nang diretso, ‘Saan nanggagaling ang lahat ng sinasabi mo?’ Bigyan niya ako ng ebidensiya dahil puro ganito na intriga, mahirap sumagot nang puro intriga. Hindi tayo dapat, tayong mga taga-media, hindi tayo dapat nabubuhay sa intriga lang – intriga at pa-media,” she said.

(Congressman Erice is one of the people I would most like to have a face-to-face conversation with. I would ask him directly, “Where are all these things you’re saying coming from?” He should provide evidence because all we’re hearing are insinuations and intrigue. It’s difficult to respond to claims that are based purely on intrigue. We in the media should not be living on intrigue alone—on intrigue and media attention.)

When asked for an update on the timeline for filing cases against Romualdez, Castro said Marcos believes cases should be filed if there is sufficient evidence.

“So, kung mayroon pa pong ibang mga may hawak na ebidensiya katulad nitong si Congressman Erice. Kung mayroon kang alam Congressman Erice, pumunta na po kayo sa Ombudsman at doon ninyo na ibigay lahat ang alam po ninyo para hindi kayo ma-disappoint at sasabihin ang Pangulo ang siyang mayroong kagagawan para hindi siya masampahan ng kaso – obligasyon ninyo po, Congressman Erice,” she said.

(So, if there are other people who have evidence, like Congressman Erice, then if you know something, Congressman Erice, go to the Ombudsman and submit everything you know. That way, you won’t be disappointed and then claim that the President was responsible for preventing charges from being filed. It is your obligation, Congressman Erice.)

‘Collect-all’ scheme

In the interview, Erice also alleged the existence of a “collect-all” system among local government units (LGUs). He claimed that some local chief executives pay garbage collection companies to clean their cities.

However, he alleged that these companies fail to fully perform their contracted duties while still receiving full payment from the LGUs, leading to garbage and flooding problems.

Reacting to this, Castro said Erice should take action if he has information about the alleged system.

“So, kung siya ay may alam naman dito at isa siya sa mga public servant at siya ay isa sa mga maingay na nagtutuligsa, gumawa na ba siya ng aksiyon patungkol dito sa mga di-umano’y local government units na nagkakaroon ng korupsiyon patungkol sa pangongolekta ng basura, pakitanong ninyo po sa kaniya iyan,” she said.

(So, if he knows about this and he is a public servant who has been vocal in criticizing it, has he taken any action regarding the alleged corruption involving local government units in garbage collection? Please ask him that.)

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