Palace to Duterte on Marcos’ Senate ‘control’ – Want to be ‘panggulo?’

MANILA, Philippines — Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Friday criticized Vice President Sara Duterte over her statement alleging that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. controls the Senate, the judges, and the police.

Castro was reacting to a video statement posted by Duterte on September 7.

In the recording, the vice president thanked her supporters amid the ongoing impeachment trial, and she also alleged that she was being subjected to political harassment by the Marcos administration.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Sara Duterte claims Marcos controls Senate, judges, police

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

“Many have also said that they are already stressed by the impeachment proceedings and the cases I am facing. I want to assure all of you that you do not need to worry, and please do not feel pressured,” Duterte said.

“Even if Marcos has control over the senators, prosecutors, judges and police, there are still many lawyers helping me fight and win these cases,” she noted.

Castro, however, refuted Duterte’s statements in a separate video.

“This accusation has no basis and is merely a product of Vice President Sara Duterte’s dirty and malicious mind,” she said.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Handa na raw siyang maging pangulo? O handa na siyang maging panggulo?” she asked in Filipino.

(Is she really ready to become president? Or is she ready to become a troublemaker?)

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Castro: Sara Duterte camp’s inattention leaves VP ‘clueless’

Instead of working for the welfare of the Filipino people, Castro said the vice president spends her time making such accusations against government institutions.

She further criticized Duterte over her alleged inaction on the impact of the Middle East conflict and flooding in several parts of the country, including her bailiwick of Davao City.

“Thank you as well for admitting that she has done nothing to help alleviate the flooding problems being experienced in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, particularly in Davao City,” Castro said.

“She has also done nothing to help address the rising prices of goods, as she was on vacation in Bangkok when the conflict in Iran first broke out,” the press officer recalled.

“Because of her own shortcomings, she feels the need to tear others down,” Castro observed.

“This is a desperate move by the vice president to undermine the integrity of the authorities, and portray herself as the victim who is being persecuted, when in fact, all these issues are of her own making,” she pointed out.

Castro also took a jab at the vice president’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“In the complaint she is facing, there is no fabricated intrigue, no planted evidence—only evidence that came to light during her father’s administration,” she said.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

“Everything she is being accused of doing was done voluntarily, and in accordance with her own agenda,” the Palace official said. /apl