Manila civic leader defends first lady, decries ‘irresponsible’ blog over Tantoco case

A Manila-based civic leader has denounced a blog post implicating First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos in the recent drug-related death of Filipino businessman Juan Paolo Tantoco in Los Angeles, California.Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, Chairman Emeritus of four civic-oriented groups, called the article “deeply irresponsible” and “morally dishonest,” accusing its author of exploiting a private tragedy for political gain.“A man is dead. His wife is grieving. And instead of respecting that grief, this blogger decided to drag someone else into it just because of who she works for. That’s not seeking the truth. That’s targeting people for sport,” Goitia said in a statement released in Manila.The blog, titled *Cocktail Party of the Rich*, detailed the toxicology findings of Tantoco and his wife Dina, who serves as the Social Secretary to the First Lady. It further suggested, without proof, that the First Lady may have been involved or should be held accountable.Goitia said such claims have no factual basis.“She wasn’t in the room. She wasn’t mentioned in the police reports. Her name doesn’t appear anywhere in the investigation. So why are we even talking about her in this context?” he said.“These so-called questions being thrown at the First Lady aren't questions at all. They're just loaded bullets dressed up as curiosity,” he added.He also criticized the blog’s call for the First Lady to undergo a drug test.“Why should she take a drug test? Because she knows someone who made a mistake? That’s not justice. That’s bullying. And it’s exactly what’s wrong with the way we handle public discourse,” he said.Goitia defended the First Lady’s character and work ethic.“I’ve seen her up close. She is disciplined, driven, and serious about the responsibilities of her position. She does not tolerate nonsense, let alone something this dangerous and foolish,” he said.Goitia emphasized that while the case involving Paolo Tantoco remains under the jurisdiction of U.S. authorities, those not directly involved should not be unjustly implicated.“This should be a time for compassion, not character assassination. Let’s allow the authorities in Los Angeles to finish their work. Let’s allow a family to mourn in peace. Let’s stop pretending that every tragedy must have a political angle,” he said.“We can demand accountability without abandoning decency. We can ask hard questions without turning into online mobs. And we can choose to honor the truth, even when it’s less sensational,” he added.As of this time, the Office of the First Lady has not released an official statement on the matter.Dr. Goitia is Chairman Emeritus of the Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), the Peoples Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and the Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement.