Palace Denies Lobbying for Journalist Replacement in Malacañang
MANILA, Philippines — Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro firmly denied claims that she lobbied for the removal of a journalist assigned to cover President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Malacañang events. The exact four word keyphrase “journalist replacement in Malacañang” arises amid recent disputes involving media coverage protocols.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) had requested NET 25 news management to replace its Malacañang beat reporter Eden Santos. This action followed allegations that Santos breached coverage protocols during a presidential event.
“Why will I lobby for a reporter to be removed [from covering Malacañang]?” Castro told reporters. “I am not the one who decides that. I am not the [PCO] secretary, nor do I supervise the MARO (Malacañang Media Accreditation and Relations Office).” She dismissed the accusations as “fake news.”
Castro also rejected rumors, especially from vloggers aligned with the Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS), suggesting she had personal issues with Santos. She explained that Santos and other Malacañang Press Corps members were simply doing their jobs by asking tough questions during briefings.
“I have no issues with her. All of you are reporters here. You have the right to ask questions. That’s your job,” Castro added.
Background of the Controversy and Media Relations
Social media users have followed the exchanges between Castro and Santos during briefings, often debating who had the upper hand in their verbal exchanges. NET 25 is operated by Eagle Broadcasting Corp., connected to the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) religious group. While generally neutral, INC has expressed support for Vice President Sara Duterte in opposing her impeachment trial and criticized the Marcos administration over the detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte in The Netherlands.
On June 27, PCO Assistant Secretary Erelson Cabatbat sent a letter to NET 25’s news chief requesting the assignment of a new Malacañang reporter. The letter cited Santos’s alleged repeated violation of protocol by approaching President Marcos directly during a June 25 event in Capas, Tarlac, despite designated media areas.
Other reporters who conducted so-called “ambush” interviews with the president were also warned. The letter emphasized that “strict courtesy and decorum dictate that when covering the President, a certain distance should be observed at all times.” It also noted this was not the first time Santos had reportedly breached this rule.
However, video footage of the event showed that President Marcos himself approached Santos and other journalists. This fact added complexity to the issue.
Press Corps and Journalists’ Response
The Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) strongly opposed the PCO’s request, calling it an overreach of authority. They stressed that while safeguarding the President is important, it should not come at the expense of press freedom to report beyond staged events and prepared statements.
“It should never be at the expense of the freedom of the press to tell stories that go beyond photo opportunities, press releases and rehearsed sound bites,” the MPC said in a statement.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) also supported the MPC. They urged the PCO to understand why reporters sometimes resort to ambush interviews to secure meaningful information.
“In any case, it would be more productive for the PCO to arrange regular press briefings or conversations with the President instead of trying to replace reporters whose questions and actions it may disagree with,” the NUJP added.
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