Marcos Jr. slams ‘fake, fake, fake’ news on Gibo resignation

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos yesterday described as the “worst example of fake news” the rumor that Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has resigned, and called on the public not to fall for baseless claims intended to sow disorder.

Social media posts claiming that Teodoro is on his way out of the Cabinet circulated after former Presidential Communications secretary Cheloy Garafil was designated as chief of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office. Some online posts also claim that more Cabinet officials are planning to step down.

In an interview with reporters in Navotas, Marcos laughed off the rumor and called it “fake, fake, fake, fake, fake, fake news.” People should not believe claims that are not supported by proof, he added.

“They are desperate people who are inventing stories to sow disorder. They do not contribute anything to the lives of Filipinos. They only malign and cause disorder,” the President said. “That is the worst example of fake news being peddled on social media. Be careful and scrutinize if you read things like that.”

Any change in the Cabinet, Marcos said, would be announced by official sources, not by just about anyone on social media.

“They do not know anything. We will make the announcement. For now, there are no changes,” he said.

Marcos said he and Teodoro laughed when they heard about the rumor. He revealed that he called the defense chief yesterday to talk about the claims that he is quitting his post.

“He (Teodoro) said, ‘Why? Are you dismissing me?’ I said, ‘Why would I dismiss you, we have no problem,’” the President said.

According to Marcos, Teodoro advised him to just ignore the rumor but he insisted on reacting to it so they could explain to the public that the information is false. Marcos gave an assurance that disinformation would not affect his work and that of his officials.

“Our work will continue. We won’t stop. All of our colleagues are finding ways to help and to improve the Philippines day and night,” Marcos said in Filipino. “We do not give attention to that (rumor) because we know it is not true... With some of these rumors that have spread around, we have the advantage. We know the truth. So we will give