Malacañang on Friday criticized Vice President Sara Duterte for her comments regarding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s health, describing her response as “sarcastic” and “irresponsible.”
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Duterte’s brief comment—“good luck to him”—delivered with a laugh when asked about circulating rumors on the President’s condition, was inappropriate given the nature of the issue.
“Isang sagot pero makikita ninyo sa body language kung ano ang ibig sabihin,” Castro said during a Palace briefing, emphasizing that the premise of the question had no factual basis.
“Kaya ang nakuha rin natin sa Bise Presidente ay isang irresponsableng sagot: Good luck with a smile,” she added.
Castro stressed that Filipinos do not typically mock or make light of individuals who are ill, particularly when claims about a person’s health remain unverified.
“Ang sabi nga: An idle mind is devil’s playground,” she said.
“So, makikita natin tumawa. Is that a last laugh mentality or mockery of misery. Hindi ba dapat ang isang tao kapag may sakit, mas binibigyan natin ng atensyon at binibigyan natin ng dasal para mas maging maigi ang kalusugan. Hindi mo tatawanan at parang ikaw pa ay sarcastic sa iyong mga kasagutan,” Castro added.
Duterte made the remark during an ambush interview at the Araw ng Kagitingan commemoration in Davao City on Thursday, without further elaboration.