Malacañang on Thursday fired back at Vice President Sara Duterte after she criticized the government for allegedly failing to prepare for Filipinos affected by tensions in the Middle East.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Duterte’s claim that she had known of the threat of war since 2022 raises questions about why she did not inform President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. or relevant authorities.
“Kung alam niya na po ito, malamang mayroon siyang bolang kristal, dapat ipinaalam niya kung ito ay verified info, dapat ipinaalam niya agad ito sa Pangulo at sa mga awtoridad,” Castro said.
Castro added that Duterte never mentioned the supposed threat during the 2022 campaign period or to the Department of National Defense, suggesting she failed to act on information she claimed to have.
“Hindi man lang aniya binanggit ni VP Sara kung alam nito noon pang 2022 na magkakagiyera sa Middle East kaya makikita na wala itong ginawa at hindi nagtrabaho,” Castro said, describing the Vice President’s inaction as “nonfeasance” — a failure to perform official duties.
The Palace’s remarks underscore escalating tensions between the executive branch and the Vice President, who has been critical of the administration’s handling of overseas concerns amid global instability.