THE SMOKESCREEN THEORY

Lifted from USAPANG KATOTOHANAN LANG
17 July 2025



𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗸𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗿𝘆: 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲'𝘀 𝗜𝗖𝗖 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝗱𝘆’𝘀 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽

In early 2025, the Philippine political landscape was rocked by two highly publicized events: the tragic death of businessman and Rustan's heir Paolo Tantoco in Beverly Hills, reportedly due to a cocaine overdose, and the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Some members of the public and commentators have raised questions about the timing of these two events and their potential connection. A theory has emerged that the ICC arrest may have diverted public attention from controversies surrounding First Lady Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos, who was on an official trip in the United States at the time of Tantoco’s death.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗼𝗹𝗼 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝘇𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝘀’𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗟.𝗔.
Paolo Tantoco passed away on March 8, 2025, in a hotel in Beverly Hills. The official cause was reported as a cocaine overdose. Around the same time, First Lady Liza Marcos was attending the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Los Angeles. Verified social media accounts and event documentation confirm that the First Lady and Tantoco were present at some of the same MIFF-related events.

Photos and videos published by event organizers and attendees showed them attending cocktail receptions and formal galas. While this confirms their presence at the same functions, no evidence has been publicly presented indicating direct involvement of the First Lady in Tantoco’s private activities. Nonetheless, the timing and circumstances prompted some members of the public and political observers to raise concerns and call for additional transparency regarding the First Lady’s itinerary.

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲
Shortly after the events in Los Angeles, official photos were released showing Liza Marcos back in the Philippines as early as March 10. These images depicted her taking part in public engagements. However, some online commentators speculated that the photos may have been staged or pre-recorded due to perceived inconsistencies in lighting and setting. These discussions fueled a broader narrative suggesting the need for clarity on her return timeline. While these theories are unproven and have not been corroborated by experts, they contributed to public calls for a clearer accounting of her movements.

The Palace firmly denied any allegations of detention or delay in the First Lady’s return. Officials also emphasized that she resumed official duties upon arrival and dismissed speculation about manipulated imagery. No official complaints or legal actions have been filed in relation to these claims.

𝗗𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲'𝘀 𝗜𝗖𝗖 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀
On March 11, just days after the MIFF and Tantoco’s passing, former President Rodrigo Duterte was turned over to the ICC to face charges related to his war on drugs. The speed and timing of this transfer raised eyebrows, as the Marcos administration had not previously demonstrated a willingness to cooperate with the ICC.

Some political observers proposed that the high-profile arrest may have served, intentionally or not, as a major distraction from controversies related to the First Lady’s trip. Although there is no concrete evidence linking the two events, the sudden shift in national media coverage from one issue to another contributed to this public impression.

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁
Amid this environment, Senator Imee Marcos publicly called for the administration to issue a detailed statement on the events surrounding Paolo Tantoco’s death and the First Lady’s travel activities. The call was framed as a means to restore public trust and settle mounting speculation.

Among the questions raised were: What was the extent of the First Lady’s interaction with Paolo Tantoco? Was she aware of any potential risks related to his health or lifestyle? When exactly did she return to the country? And could a formal timeline of her official engagements during and after the U.S. trip be made available?

𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
In July 2025, it was announced that First Lady Liza Marcos would not join President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on his official visit to the United States. This departure from precedent—she had previously accompanied him on all such trips—was notable. While the Palace offered no explanation, public interest in her decision remained high, especially in light of prior controversies.

Commentators have speculated that the First Lady’s absence might be intended to avoid further scrutiny, though no official rationale has been given. Others have suggested that it reflects a desire to keep focus on the President’s agenda and minimize distractions.

The death of Paolo Tantoco and the ICC arrest of Rodrigo Duterte are significant events in their own right. Their proximity in timing, combined with the confirmed presence of the First Lady at related public events, has led to calls for transparency and clarification. While no wrongdoing has been proven, and authorities have consistently denied all allegations of misconduct or impropriety, open communication and factual disclosure remain key to addressing public concern.

In any democracy, ensuring accountability from high-ranking officials and public figures is essential to maintaining institutional trust. By releasing more detailed information about the First Lady’s itinerary and engagements, the administration could help dispel lingering doubts and refocus public discourse on evidence-based discussion.

#UsapangKatotohananLang 

Sources:
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/939134/palace-says-fl-liza-marcos-in-ph-no-truth-she-was-held-by-us-authorities/story/

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/952640/palace-paolo-tantoco-liza-araneta-fake-beverly-hills-police-report/story/

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/imee-marcos-seeks-palace-report-on-rustan-heirs-death-alleged-first-lady-link

http://tribune.net.ph/2025/07/14/imee-wants-malaca%C3%B1ang-to-clarify-first-ladys-involvement-in-tantocos-death

http://www.tsek.ph/fabricated-screenshot-fans-baseless-claim-philippine-first-lady-detained-in-us/

http://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/after-dutertes-arrest-philippine-drug-war-victims-face-abuse-online-falsehoods-2025-03-31/

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