Malacañang has slammed Vice President Sara Duterte for her sarcastic suggestion that floodwaters be sent to Malacañang for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to drink, calling her comment “confusing and amusing” in light of existing laws promoting rainwater harvesting.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro, in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, said Duterte appeared to mock the president’s recent call to collect floodwaters for productive use, without realizing that such initiatives are backed by law.
“First of all, she mocked the President’s suggestion to collect rainwater. Perhaps she is unaware of this law,” Castro said in Filipino, referring to Republic Act No. 6716, which requires the installation of water wells and rainwater collectors in all barangays.
Castro added that the law has long been implemented, citing the Department of Public Works and Highways’ installation of rainwater collection systems in schools, such as those in Nueva Vizcaya earlier this year. “Because that is mandated by law, we really are required to have a system for collecting rainwater,” she added.
She went on to question Duterte’s awareness of government efforts during the recent onslaught of Tropical Storm Crising, saying the Vice President had been out of the country.
“First of all, the Vice President likely wouldn’t know about the administration’s preparations… as she was out of the country on vacation in The Hague,” Castro said, adding that Duterte also missed key meetings held before Marcos left for the United States.
Castro outlined the administration’s response to the flooding, including free rides offered by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Department of Transportation to stranded commuters.
“So once again, the Vice President can’t help but criticize because she’s not in the Philippines and isn’t seeing what the government is doing for the people,” she said.
Vice President Duterte is currently in The Hague visiting her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who remains in custody under the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity during his administration’s drug war.
