Palace Press Officer Claire Castro criticized Davao City Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte after he questioned the accomplishments of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
During a press briefing, Castro said the congressman appeared to be unaware of the government’s ongoing programs and projects.
According to Castro, the public does not need to wait for the President’s upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) to learn about the administration’s accomplishments. She said these are regularly discussed during press briefings and reported by the media.
Castro also took aim at Duterte’s remarks, saying the lawmaker seemed to be “living in darkness, fake news, and his own imagination” because of his statements against the administration.
The exchange followed Duterte’s call for President Marcos to clearly enumerate during his upcoming SONA the programs that have had a direct impact on the lives of Filipinos.
In response, Castro highlighted several government initiatives that she said demonstrate the administration’s accomplishments. These include the National Fiber Backbone Project, the expansion of free Wi-Fi access, the eGovPH platform, various flagship infrastructure projects, and the implementation of a zero balance billing program in public hospitals.
The remarks reflect the continuing exchange of criticism between the Palace and members of the Duterte family as political tensions remain visible ahead of key national events, including the President’s annual address to the nation.
The Palace maintained that information regarding government programs remains publicly available through official briefings and media reports, while Duterte has urged the administration to provide a clearer accounting of projects that directly benefit the Filipino people.
