A Palace press officer has dismissed the possibility of resignation, stating the President continues to work and remains focused on serving the country. Castro claimed that Duterte's supporters are pushing for Marcos' resignation simply to pave the way for her ascent to the presidency. On Tuesday, November 18, Malacañang firmly stated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has no intention of stepping down amid growing calls from several groups—many aligned with Vice President Sara Duterte—for him to resign over the government's ongoing corruption controversy. The pressure intensified after resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co alleged that Marcos ordered the insertion of funds into the 2025 national budget, triggering widespread criticism. She added that propagandists and destabilizers are attempting to divert attention from core issues, questioning whether Marcos' potential successor could truly address corruption. The administration has come under heavy fire since Co's allegations emerged, with two high-ranking officials—former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman—resigning after being implicated in the controversy. Tensions escalated further during a two-day Iglesia ni Cristo rally, where Senator Imee Marcos publicly accused her own brother, the President, of illegal drug use. Castro stated that only those lacking critical thinking would believe such claims.
