Palace denies Chavit Singson’s claim on funded rioters

Luis “Chavit” Singson (VIDEOGRAB FROM THE OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE OF SINGSON)

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday belied former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson’s allegations that First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez were behind the masked rioters who caused a disturbance during Sunday’s anti-corruption protest.

In a Viber message to reporters on Monday, Palace press officer Claire Castro refuted Singson’s accusations that Araneta-Marcos and Romualdez had paid therioters.

READ: Palace to hold rowdy protesters in Manila accountable – Castro

“A big lie! They should not pin their criminal acts on First Lady Liza Marcos. Would she really be the one to order violence against the police just to create tension near Malacañang? They should think carefully,” Castro said in Filipino.

“Nagiging makakalimutin na itong si Mr. Chavit Singson. Dapat natin tandaan na si Duterte-supporter Chavit Singson mismo ang nag-engganyo sa mga kabataan na tumayo at mag-lead sa rebolusyon laban sa gobyerno. Sino ba ang may history ng pagpatay, pananakit, at paggiba sa gobyerno? Sino ba ang mga kilalang tao na nakaitim na nasa Mendiola na may kasa-kasama pang supporters na halos lahat nakaitim din ng kasuotan? Nililigtas na ba nila mga sarili nila?” she asked.

“Mr. Chavit Singson is becoming forgetful. We must remember that it was Duterte-supporter Chavit Singson himself who encouraged the youth to rise and lead the revolution against the government. Who really has a history of killings, violence, and attempts to overthrow the government? Who were the known figures dressed in black at Mendiola, along with supporters who were also mostly dressed in black? Are they now trying to save themselves,? added Castro.

Castro also  said: “Ngayon, pwede nang magsama-sama silang mga mahihilig magpatawa kahit hindi mga komedyante.”

(Now, those who love to joke around can already come together, even if they’re not comedians.)

The Palace official was referring to a group of protesters clad in black and wearing masks who set a trailer truck on fire at the foot of Ayala Bridge in Manila, near the entrance of the Malacañang compound.

Singson made the allegations in an interview with the Bilyonaryo News Channel. Citing a conversation with some protesters who passed by his food truck for rally participants stationed at a gate of the posh Corinthian Gardens in Quezon City, Singson said: “Meron grupo na nakamaskara, pinapalo yung gate, sumisigaw ng ‘corrupt, corrupt, corrupt.’ Tinanong ko sila, sino kayo, bakit ganyan?”

(There’s a group wearing masks, banging on the gate, shouting ‘corrupt, corrupt, corrupt.’ I asked them, who are you, why are you doing that?)

“Nagtanggal sila ng maskara at sabi, pasensya na kayo, binayaran lang po kami,” he said in the interview.

(They took off their masks and said, We’re sorry; we were just paid to do this.)

READ: Malacañang tells agencies: Probe Chavit Singson for possible sedition

“The one serving (food) asked them, “Who paid you?” They said, “Martin Romualdez and the First Lady,” said Singson.

This was not the first time Castro clapped back at Singson, as she had earlier urged authorities to investigate him for possibly inciting sedition after he encouraged students to join a “revolution against corruption.” /gsg