Malacañang on Friday said the Philippines could have been in a stronger position had Vice President Sara Duterte remained in Davao City rather than seeking higher office.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the remark after Duterte became emotional during a conference in Davao City on Wednesday, reflecting on what might have happened had she run again for mayor in 2022 instead of the vice presidency.
“Sumasang-ayon tayo sa kaniyang tinuran. Mas maganda po nga sana kung nanatili na lamang siyang mayor sa Davao City at nahalal natin ang isang bise presidente na tutulong sana sa ating Pangulo—isang bise presidente na magta-trabaho, mag-aaksiyon at hindi bakasyon, at hindi puro paninira ang gagawin sa ating Pangulo,” Castro said in a briefing.
She added that the country could have progressed further if Marcos had a more supportive vice president.
“Mas umunlad sana or mas uunlad pa, maliban sa ginagawa ng Pangulo ngayon, at kapag siya’y may katuwang para sa pag-unlad ng bansa, mas naging mainam sana. Pero sabi nga natin, nasa huli ang pagsisisi,” she said.
Castro clarified, however, that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does not regret having Duterte as his running mate in the 2022 elections.
“Wala po tayong sinabing nagsisi. Ang sinabi lamang po natin ay malamang tama po ‘yung tinuran ni VP Sara na dapat hindi na siya tumakbo na Bise Presidente,” she explained.
“Ang sabi po natin, sana nga, para iyong bise presidente na nahalal ay makakatulong sa Pangulo. Pero wala po tayong sinabi na nagsisisi ang Pangulo na kasama at nahalal ang Bise Presidente.”
On Wednesday, Duterte said she felt “nostalgic” upon returning to her hometown and seeing her former colleagues.
She also noted that since resigning as Education Secretary in 2024 and declaring her intent to run for president, some invitations for her had been canceled.