APRIL 21, 2026 — Malacañang has fired back at Harry Roque, branding him a “fake news peddler” after he claimed that the arrest of ex-congressman Zaldy Co was fabricated. The clash now raises bigger questions about credibility, transparency, and how we should navigate conflicting narratives in high-profile corruption cases.

The Palace, through Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, dismissed Roque’s Facebook post questioning President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s announcement of Co’s arrest in the Czech Republic. 

Castro said, “Ang Pangulo po ay nagsalita na. Si Secretary Vida ay nagsalita na rin. So, bakit po ba natin paniniwalaan ang isang fake news peddler?” 

(The President has already spoken. Secretary Vida has spoken too. So why would we believe a fake news peddler?)

Roque, however, insisted that Czech authorities only confirmed an “intervention” but not an arrest or detention. 

He wrote: “Czech authorities have confirmed that there was indeed an ‘intervention’ but no arrest or detention of Zaldy Co took place. This directly refutes the earlier assertion that he had been apprehended.”

Zaldy Co, former Ako Bicol representative and ex-House appropriations chair, faces graft and malversation charges tied to a ₱289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. President Marcos earlier assured the public that Co would be brought back “in accordance with the law” to face trial. The DOJ and DFA have been tasked to coordinate with Czech authorities to ensure due process.

The bottom line is, it’s about whether the justice system can truly hold powerful figures accountable. If the Palace is right, then Co’s return could mark a rare victory against corruption. If Roque’s claim holds water, then the administration risks being seen as spreading misinformation — something that erodes trust at a time when Filipinos are already skeptical of political institutions.

The clash between Malacañang and Roque is more than a spat; it’s a test of credibility. And credibility, in politics, is everything.

So whose side are you on?

(Image: Harry Roque | Facebook)