Palace Press Officer Claire Castro responded to Vice President Sara Duterte’s remarks urging her to be more professional in her statements as the President’s spokesperson.
Castro said professionalism is demonstrated through actions rather than words.
She said that as Palace Press Officer, her responsibility is to inform the public about the programs of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration, as well as to correct what she described as false information.
Castro added that her role is to help advance government programs rather than contribute to the weakening of the administration.
She also criticized the vice president’s conduct, saying Duterte had fallen short of demonstrating professionalism and accountability to the public based on those standards.
According to Castro, she has only been responding to what she described as baseless accusations directed at the President and the administration.
She further claimed that instead of addressing her statements, Duterte had chosen to make personal attacks and unfounded criticisms against her.
“When she cannot answer my statements, she begins making personal attacks and unfounded accusations. That is not professional,” Castro said.
The Palace official also took aim at Duterte’s leadership, saying that a leader should remain in the country during times of calamity, comply with the law, refrain from using violence, and answer allegations through evidence.
Castro’s remarks came after the vice president criticized her conduct as the Palace spokesperson.
The exchange is the latest public confrontation between the Palace and Vice President Duterte, who have repeatedly traded criticisms in recent months. The statements reflect the continuing political tensions between the two camps.
