Manila, Dec. 13 -- Malacanang on Friday clarified that the individuals who filed complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte before the Office of the Ombudsman are not in any way connected to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., dismissing speculation of political maneuvering.

"The complainants are not part of the President's political allies, instead they are, in fact, his critics. So, how could he casually tell them to file plunder and graft charges against VP Sara," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a text message to reporters on Friday night.

Castro's statement came after lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, deputy spokesperson of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), accused the Marcos administration of having a hand in the compla...