Vice President Sara Duterte called for professionalism from Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro when issuing statements for the Office of the President.
The Vice President’s reminder followed Castro’s dismissal of Duterte’s claims—specifically regarding allegations that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration assisted the International Criminal Court (ICC) in arresting former President Rodrigo Duterte—as “baseless” and “nonsense.”
Speaking after a Thanksgiving Mass for the Kadayawan Festival at San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City, Vice President Duterte emphasized that presidential spokespersons must handle public messaging with care.
“Ulitin ko ha, si Claire Castro is a spokesperson of the President and the Office of the President,” Duterte stated.
“Hindi ko alam kung kaninong spokesperson siya pero by the fact na spokesperson ka at mayroong seal ng Office of the President diyan, dapat maging professional ka sa mga sinasabi mo.”
Duterte further noted that official spokespersons are bound by higher standards than private citizens.
“She doesn’t have the liberty na tulad sa atin na pwedeng magsalita ng kahit anong iniisip natin at kahit anong opinion natin kasi nagsasalita tayo para sa sarili natin,” Duterte added.
“Pero kapag may seal sa likod mo, sa harap mo, kung ano yung professionalism na hinihingi galing doon sa opisina na yun, yun dapat ipakita at ibigay mo sa taong bayan.”