MANILA, May 5 -- Malacanang on Monday said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is far from being a dictator as his government continues to uphold press freedom in the country.

"The President is not gearing toward dictatorship. Malaya po ang pamamahayag na nakikita po natin sa kasalukuyan (We are seeing the freedom of the press nowadays)," Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

The Philippines rose to the 116th spot, the country's highest ranking in 21 years, from 134th last year out of 180 countries on the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

"Yes, definitely, that's (the 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index) good news...