President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former President Rodrigo Duterte. King Rodriguez, Presidential Photo/File 

MANILA — Malacanang on Thursday dismissed Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte’s recent remarks that the Marcos administration was supposedly “lenient” towards criminals.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro questioned Duterte’s basis for his statements, saying: “Saan ba niya nakuha ang mga data, iyong mga facts na binabanggit niya na lenient ang bagong pamahalaan o ang kasalukuyang administrasyon patungkol sa paggawa ng krimen?” 

“Sinabi na po natin ito, panahon po ni dating Pangulong Duterte, mas mataas po ang crime rate kung ikukumpara po sa panahon ng kasalukuyang administrasyon – iyan po ay base sa statistics,” Castro said in a Palace briefing.

“Siguro po bago po magbintang at magparatang si Mayor Baste patungkol sa diumanong leniency ng Pangulo ng kasalukuyang administrasyon patungkol sa pagsasagawa ng krimen, tingnan niya po muna at araling mabuti, makipag-usap sa mga abogado para malaman kung ano ang totoong records. Mas mataas po ang crime rate sa panahon ng kaniyang ama,” she added.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) recently said crimes in the country decreased despite the recent circulation of videos of several incidents on social media.

The PNP said it logged 3,528 cases of focus crimes from Jan. 1 to Feb. 14, 2025, down 26.76 percent from 4,817 cases in the same period last year.

“Crimes may seem more visible because they go viral on social media, but what’s crucial is that the same platforms help speed up investigations and bring criminals to justice. We encourage responsible reporting—use social media as a tool for safety, not panic,” PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said in a statement.

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