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Helen Flores - The Philippine Star
July 17, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — First Lady Liza Marcos will not be accompanying President Marcos on his official visit to Washington next week, according to the Palace.
In an interview with True FM, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro yesterday confirmed that the First Lady would not be part of the President’s delegation.
“Hindi po,” Castro replied when asked, without offering further explanation. Malacañang earlier confirmed Marcos’ official visit to Washington from July 20 to 22.
The Palace has yet to release details about the trip and the President’s scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump, which was first announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
This will be Marcos’ fifth visit to the United States since assuming office in 2022, and his first since Trump’s election in November last year.
Among those confirmed to be part of the delegation is Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, Castro added.
This is not the first time that the First Lady has skipped a US visit. She was also absent during the President’s visit to Washington in April last year for a trilateral meeting with then US president Joe Biden and then Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida.
Her upcoming absence, however, comes amid a swirl of online speculation linking her to the death of Rustan’s executive Paolo Tantoco, who passed away in Beverly Hills in March.
Describing the police report circulating online as “fake,” the Palace slammed what she called a deliberate attempt to malign the First Lady using fabricated police documents.
“Mr. Paolo Tantoco was not part of the First Lady’s official entourage. It’s shameful that they fabricated a fake police report. The so-called police report posted on Facebook is a complete lie,” Castro said in Filipino.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong also came to the defense of the First Lady, decrying the spread of false information and urging authorities to investigate those behind it.
“I don’t think it should be used to sensationalize the issue just to gain political points. This is not a public issue – it is a private matter… This is a fight that we should put an end to. This kind of smear campaign, using the death of a very private individual to attack perceived political opponents, must stop,” he said.
The lawmaker also urged the public to maintain respect, especially in times of mourning.
“The pain and trauma of losing a loved one is more than enough for the family to bear. We should first sympathize with those who have lost their loved ones, and above all, we must be humane. We need to respect the privacy of the bereaved family,” Adiong said.
Imee seeks answers
Despite Malacañang’s strong denials, Sen. Imee Marcos has publicly demanded transparency regarding Tantoco’s death.
In a statement, the President’s sister called on the Palace to issue a detailed report clarifying the First Lady’s involvement, if any, in the days leading to the incident.
Tantoco died on March 8 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, a day after the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) gala was held at the hotel.
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office ruled the cause of death as “cocaine effects.” Tantoco was reportedly part of the First Lady’s group that promoted the MIFF from March 4 to 7.
“More troubling are claims circulating online that the First Lady may have personal knowledge of the circumstances surrounding Mr. Tantoco’s death – with some alleging that she was present at the scene either shortly before, during, or immediately after the incident,” Senator Marcos said.
“Given the gravity of these allegations and the matter’s undeniable public interest, I urge Malacañang to issue a comprehensive report on the circumstances of Mr. Tantoco’s death, including any involvement – direct or indirect – of the First Lady or other Philippine government officials,” she added.
Duterte bill
In a separate development, Senator Marcos filed a new measure titled the “President Rodrigo R. Duterte Bill,” seeking to criminalize extraordinary rendition, or the transfer of any person outside Philippine jurisdiction without consent or a court order.
This comes in the wake of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and transfer to The Hague by Interpol agents enforcing an International Criminal Court warrant.
Speaking during an interview in The Hague alongside Vice President Sara Duterte, the senator described the transfer as “kidnapping,” and blamed the Marcos administration for cooperating with international authorities.
“What happened to former president Duterte should not be repeated. He was kidnapped and taken to a foreign country. Someone should be held accountable for this,” Marcos said.
The bill proposes penalties ranging from imprisonment and a fine of up to P10 million.
It also bars the enforcement of arrest warrants from foreign courts not recognized by the Philippines, without explicit court and agency approval.
Duterte was arrested on March 11 upon arrival in Manila from Hong Kong and was transferred to The Hague.
The same jet was previously used by President Marcos for official functions. – Jose Rodel Clapano, Marc Jayson Cayabyab
