PAOLO TANTOCO’S DEATH

Malacañang on Tuesday firmly rejected claims connecting First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos to the recent death of Rustan Commercial Corporation executive Paolo Tantoco in Los Angeles, dismissing them as “fake news” allegedly weaponized for political gain.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro stated in a Palace briefing that the allegations, which tie the First Lady to Tantoco’s cocaine overdose case, are politically motivated and based on disinformation. “It’s heartbreaking that private individuals who are grieving are being dragged into politics,” Castro said, adding that “obstructionists are using this incident to discredit the First Lady, the President, and the administration. It is shameful.”

Castro specifically addressed a purported police report circulating on social media, which implicates individuals in the First Lady’s circle. She flatly denied its authenticity, asserting, “That so-called police report posted on Facebook is a complete fabrication.” She further clarified that “Even the highlighted section in pink, which mentions the suspected cause of death, was added and is not part of the official document.”

The PCO Undersecretary clarified that Tantoco was not part of the First Lady’s official entourage during her March 2025 trip to Los Angeles. She noted that the First Lady was accompanied by US-provided security and members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) during that period. Castro also highlighted that the First Lady stayed in a different hotel from Tantoco and had public engagements on March 8, the day of Tantoco’s death, including a Filipino community concert attended by Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco.

Regarding Senator Imee Marcos’s earlier call for a comprehensive report on the matter, Castro responded that her public remarks and existing documentation should suffice. “I’ve spoken clearly about the facts. Let’s not indulge in drama and gimmicks,” Castro said, also expressing frustration over what she described as a coordinated attempt to undermine the administration. She accused “people pretending to be journalists, including former spokespersons,” of “spreading propaganda instead of truth,” calling these “fake stories designed to deceive Filipinos and serve personal interests.”

A report by the LA County coroner confirmed that Tantoco, 44, died from cocaine effects in his hotel room on March 8, 2025. Malacañang is reportedly considering legal charges against individuals disseminating the “fake” US police report linking the First Lady to the incident.

When asked about the First Lady’s reaction to the controversy, Castro responded that she “knows the truth and prefers this not to be blown out of proportion.”