A Malacañang official on Tuesday fired back at Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent tirade against Palace staff, saying insults cannot cover up an official’s failure to uphold transparency and ethical conduct.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro issued the statement after Duterte labeled Palace officials as “stupid” for urging her to disclose the purpose and outcome of her recent visits to Malaysia and Australia.
“Ang kakulangan sa kaalaman sa batas, sa ethical standards ay hindi makukubli sa pagmumura o sa pang-iinsulto,” Castro told reporters. She emphasized that when a public official travels in an official capacity, they carry the flag of the Philippines and must explain how such trips benefit the country. “Kung walang maireport, baka walang natrabaho,” she added.
Castro also drew comparisons between Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., pointing out that the President consistently shares updates from his international engagements—such as strengthening diplomatic ties, saving a Filipino from death row in Indonesia, and assisting in the repatriation of fugitive ex-lawmaker Arnolfo Teves from Timor-Leste.
Since assuming office in 2022, only Marcos Jr.’s 2022 Singapore F1 trip lacked public reporting. Meanwhile, Vice President Duterte has traveled to The Hague twice this year to visit her detained father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, and also attended gatherings with overseas Filipinos in Hong Kong, Qatar, Malaysia, and Australia.
Duterte has denied using public funds for these trips, asserting that she paid for her own airfare and accommodations. However, she has not provided formal reports detailing the purpose or outcomes of her international visits.
