FACT: Atty. Claire Castro blames political noise and fake news for the Philippines’ poor economic performance

A Facebook post claims that Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro, blames political noise and fake news for the Philippines’ poor economic performance.

CLAIM 

In a press conference, Atty. Castro blames political noise and fake news for the Philippines’ poor economic performance.

RATING: FACT

CONCLUSION:

Atty. Castro did point out that political noise and fake news were to blame for the Philippines’ poor economic performance.

THE FACTS:

In the course of the press conference held to answer questions from the media, Atty. Castro said the following:

• “At tungkol sa kung sino ba ang namamahala sa bagsak nating ekonomiya. Binanggit ko na po kanina. Sana ay updated sila sa news para hindi nagmumukhang walang alam. Alam natin na malaki ang epekto ng krisis sa Middle East. Binanggit na rin po natin ang mga kalamidad na pumasok at papasok sa ating bansa, said Castro.”
• “Ang political noise na nagsasabi na bumaba ang Pangulo bilang pangulo — mga destabilizer, obstructionist. Ang political noise na ito ay nakakaapekto sa ekonomiya, the press officer added.”
• “‘Yan ang kanilang intensiyon, magsinungaling, gumawa ng fake news, manira ng administrasyon at pababain ang Pangulo sa puwesto upang maapektuhan ang ating ekonomiya. Isa sila sa dahilan kung bakit ang ekonomiya natin ay hindi nagiging maganda, Castro concluded.”

THE BOTTOMLINE:

The claims posted were verified after reviewing the conference recording and confirming Atty. Castro’s statements.