Palace Slams “Fake News” Linking First Lady Liza Marcos to Businessman’s Death in LA

Malacañang has strongly denied wild speculations linking First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos to the sudden death of Filipino businessman Paolo Tantoco in Los Angeles, California, last March.

In a fiery press briefing, Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro clarified that Tantoco was not part of the First Lady’s entourage during her U.S. trip. She also emphasized that on the day of Tantoco’s death—March 8—the First Lady was attending a concert for the Filipino community, alongside Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, from afternoon until evening.

“It’s shameful. They even faked a police report,” Castro said, blasting those who spread the claims. “Some of them call themselves journalists, even former government spokespersons, but they don’t know how to conduct proper investigations. They’re not acting as journalists—they’re acting as propagandists pushing their own agendas.”

Castro did not name names, but her statement came shortly after former Palace spokesperson Roberto Tiglao shared an image online of what he claimed was a police report suggesting Tantoco was with the First Lady at the time of his death.

The Palace official further alleged that the police report was doctored to include the First Lady’s name, along with Tantoco’s wife Dinah Arroyo, and actress Alexa Miro.

“How can these obstructionists and fake news peddlers claim they saw these people at the scene? Clearly, those names were just added after the fact,” Castro stressed.

Previous reports from various news outlets cited preliminary findings from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, which indicated that Tantoco’s death was related to cocaine use. The report also mentioned “probable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease” as a contributing factor.

Castro reiterated that during the First Lady’s visit, she and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. were under strict security provided by the U.S. government and their own Presidential Security Group (PSG). She also clarified that the couple stayed at a different hotel from the one where Tantoco was reportedly found.

When asked whether the First Lady intends to take legal action against those linking her to Tantoco’s death, Castro responded, “It seems timely, but it’s still being studied. It’s not right that just because a so-called journalist or member of the media makes a false claim, it gets accepted by the public as truth.”