Malacañang has called out Vice President Sara Duterte over her remarks defending her brother, Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, saying she should “level up” her public discourse instead of reducing serious issues to mere political intrigue.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro criticized the Vice President on Monday for suggesting that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was behind the criminal complaint lodged against Pulong.
“Hindi siya nag-level up. Mas parang bumaba pa,” said Castro in a media briefing, adding that Duterte-Carpio was recycling old political excuses.
The complaint, which was filed in February but only came to light recently, accused Rep. Duterte of physical injuries and grave threats. It stemmed from an alleged confrontation at a Davao City bar, where CCTV footage showed him seemingly brandishing a sharp object at businessman Kristone Patria. The case is now with the Department of Justice.
Castro questioned the Vice President’s efforts to deflect accountability. “Ayon sa kanyang interview, hindi niya tinanggi ang video. Papaano ipapahid ng bise presidente ang ginawang ito ng kanyang kapatid sa pangulo at sa administrasyon?”
She also slammed the attempt to pin the blame on the President, especially after Duterte-Carpio criticized the administration’s move to probe PrimeWater, a company owned by the Villar family. This came shortly after Duterte-Carpio endorsed Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, a senatorial candidate under the Marcos-led coalition.
“Nabanggit dito ang pagha-hire, pagkuha ng ibang kababaihan for their own satisfaction… bakit ito ibibintang sa pangulo?” Castro said, stressing that the Dutertes should focus on addressing the complaints instead of shifting narratives.
