The Marcos administration fired back at Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday after she challenged the government to explain its response to the Middle East crisis and rising fuel prices, accusing her of resorting to political attacks rather than constructive engagement.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Vice President appeared out of touch with programs the administration has already put in place.
“The VP is part of the government, but she does not know any solution to the present issues and only resorts to mudslinging. The mudslinging will not help address the crisis in the Middle East,” Castro said in a text message.
She followed the remark with a pointed rebuke in Filipino: “Trabaho ang dapat na ginagawa sa panahon ngayon hindi ang pagkakalat nila ng sarili nilang baho (In times like this, they should work rather than spread their filth).”
Duterte had earlier spoken to reporters in Davao City, urging the public to demand clear and concrete answers from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on what the government is doing to shield Filipinos from the economic fallout of the regional conflict and climbing fuel costs.
Castro also pushed back on Duterte’s assertion that the nation has failed its soldiers, framing the statement as a politically motivated overreach.
“The mandate of the Filipino soldier is to serve the nation in accordance with the law, not the political interest of one family that aims to seize power immediately,” she said.
The Palace spokesperson went further, suggesting the criticism stems from frustration over a failed attempt to unseat the President. “Perhaps their allies are just frustrated because their goal to oust President Marcos Jr. and to install VP Sara as president did not succeed. The Vice President cannot speak for the entire active members of AFP,” Castro said.
Castro called on the Armed Forces of the Philippines to remain apolitical and resist being used by what she described as “people who are greedy for power.”
