Malacañang has criticized Vice President Sara Duterte for allegedly pursuing her personal interests while serving as Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), saying her actions were not aligned with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directives.
According to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, Duterte’s claims that the President’s leadership lacked clarity were misplaced, asserting that her own independent decision-making reflected a focus on personal rather than national priorities.
“Hindi talaga niya malalaman ang direktiba ng Pangulo kung hindi siya marunong makinig at nagsasarili ng diskarte para sa pansariling interest,” Castro said.
The Palace issued the statement after Vice President Duterte, in a recent press briefing, launched a series of criticisms against the administration — including remarks that President Marcos’s directives were “unclear.”
Castro also pointed to alleged irregularities under Duterte’s leadership at DepEd, such as the so-called “ghost students” scheme and the distribution of spoiled or moldy food under a school feeding program.
“Hindi rin direktiba ng Pangulo ang ginawa noon ng DepEd sa pamumuno ng bise presidente na mag-deliver ng bulok, may amag na pagkain sa mga estudyante sa feeding program,” Castro added.
Vice President Duterte earlier questioned the President’s expression of confidence that he would not be implicated in the flood control anomalies, describing the statement as “premature” while investigations were still ongoing.
In response, Castro defended the President, saying his confidence was rooted in integrity and transparency.
“Magiging confident ang isang tao kapag alam niya na ang ginagawa niya ay para sa bayan at hindi pansarili lamang tulad ng iba dyan… ‘Yan ang ating Pangulo, matapang at taas noo sa mga sinasabi,” Castro said.