Claire Castro Questions Libel Case: “Is This Because I’m Not Friends With His Mother?”
CLAIRE CASTRO- Palace Press Officer Claire Castro did not mince words as she reacted to the libel case filed against her by Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, hinting at a possible personal motive behind the complaint.
Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro reacted strongly to the libel complaint filed against her by Batangas First District Representative Leandro Leviste, questioning the motive behind the legal action.
Castro expressed alarm over the case and suggested that the lawsuit may have stemmed from personal reasons rather than factual inaccuracies. She insinuated that Leviste may have been offended because she is not friends with his mother, Senator Loren Legarda, and because she allegedly does not receive the same level of respect from the young congressman.
Photo Source: Philippine Star
“Wala pa akong natatanggap na kopya. Kung anuman ang aking isasagot ngayon ay base sa kanyang mga interviews.
“Tama po ba na idinidemanda niya ako dahil sinabi kong ibinenta niya ‘yong kanyang kompanya?”
she said.
“Unang-una po, na-interview din po siya, sinabi mismo, na ang source naman ng diumano ng pagbebenta, pagta-transfer ng kumpanya na may franchise ay si Ombudsman (Jesus Crispin) Remulla,”
Castro stated.
Photo Source: POLITIKO
She further recalled that Leviste himself allegedly said he would not file a case against Ombudsman Remulla out of respect and because of the latter’s friendship with his mother, Senator Legarda.
“Ang sabi niya, hindi niya idedemanda si Ombudsman Remulla dahil iginagalang niya ito at kaibigan ng kanyang ina.
“So ako na nag-content, napag-usapan, ipinaliwanag ko sa aking mga viewers kung ano ‘yong nangyayari tungkol dito, ako ang sasampahan niya ng libel case?
“Dahil ba sa hindi ako kaibigan ng kanyang ina at hindi niya ako ginagalang?”
Castro said.
She reiterated her disbelief over the situation, pointing out what she sees as an inconsistency in Leviste’s reasoning.
“Kasi ‘yun ‘yung premise. Hindi niya idedemanda si Ombudsman kahit na ‘yun ang source ng facts o ng balita, ako ang kanyang idedemanda dahil hindi niya ako iginagalang at hindi ako kaibigan ng kanyang ina?”
Castro added.
As of writing, Leviste has yet to publicly respond to Castro’s latest remarks.
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