Malacañang on Tuesday rejected recent remarks from Vice President Sara Duterte criticizing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying her statements were shaped by inaccurate claims and flawed assumptions.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro suggested that Duterte’s assertion that the President has “many shortcomings” may have stemmed from an erroneous premise raised during a media interview.
“Napansin ko… na napi-feed siya ng mga maling impormasyon,” Castro said, noting that the Vice President’s response appeared influenced by unverified claims.
Castro pointed to a particular question alleging that overseas Filipino workers were dissatisfied with Marcos for supposedly failing to welcome repatriates at the airport.
She stressed that this claim had no factual basis.
“Dahil mali na iyong premise… nasasabi nating nagiging source of fake news ang Bise Presidente,” Castro remarked.
The Palace official urged Duterte to exercise caution in making public statements, emphasizing the importance of verifying information beforehand.
“Mas maganda sana na gamitin muna ang mata at tenga bago ang bibig,” she said.
Despite the criticism, Castro maintained that the Marcos administration continues to implement programs addressing economic concerns and humanitarian challenges, including those arising from tensions in the Middle East.
She also called on members of the media to remain fair and accurate in their reporting, warning that poorly framed questions could contribute to the spread of misinformation.