Vice President Sara Duterte claimed that the Philippine government has run out of money, pointing to a Department of Budget and Management (DBM) directive for agencies to account for their savings. The statement drew a sharp, critical response from Malacañang.
Speaking to an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) during an interview in The Hague, Netherlands, on May 5, Duterte was asked if the country still had financial resources left.
“Wala na,” Duterte replied.
She explained that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) had received a memorandum from the budget department.
“Actually, nakatanggap ang aming opisina ng memo sir na bilangin namin ang savings ng opisina namin kasi gusto makita ng DBM kung magkano ‘yung savings ng lahat ng offices ng government,” Duterte said.
The Vice President also raised concerns over a economic “triple whammy”—referring to climbing fuel prices, a depreciating peso, and soaring inflation.
She emphasized that the government must prioritize assisting the poorest Filipinos to prevent a further decline in social conditions.
During the same interview, Duterte voiced her support for young lawmakers and administration critics, namely Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste and Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga. She commended their bravery in voicing dissent despite potential political blowback.
“Pareho kami, pareho tayong lahat na nararamdaman tulad ng mga nararamdaman nila,” Duterte said.
“We applaud their courage to speak up kahit na alam nila na babalikan sila ng administration o hindi man in cases, posibleng mga threats or mga iba pang pananakot,” she added.
In response, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro defended the administration’s economic interventions while criticizing Duterte for being out of touch with state initiatives.
Speaking in Cebu on Wednesday, May 6, Castro revealed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had ordered repatriation and relief preparations for OFWs in the Middle East as early as February following regional tensions.
“Unang putok pa lamang po sa Middle East, February 28, nag-utos na po ang Pangulo kung paano matutulungan at mare-repatriate ang mga kababayan nating Pilipino na mga OFWs sa Middle East,” Castro said. “Unang araw pa lamang po ‘yan. Habang ang Bise Presidente ay nasa ibang bansa noon.”
Castro detailed that the government has been actively rolling out fuel subsidies for transport workers—including tricycle, PUV, and motorcycle taxi drivers—alongside the TUPAD emergency employment scheme and the new UPLIFT initiative designed to track and aid vulnerable sectors.
The Palace official then took a direct jab at the Vice President’s frequent travels.
“So ‘yun po kasi ang nagiging problema sa isang opisyal na lagi pong naka-bakasyon. Hindi po niya nalalaman kung ano po ang nagiging programa ng gobyerno,” Castro remarked.
Castro pointed out the contrast in their current schedules, noting that the President is fully engaged with the ongoing ASEAN Summit while Duterte is out of the country.
“Sa kasalukuyan po, tayo po ay abala sa ASEAN Summit. Ang Pangulo ay abala sa ASEAN Summit. Pero ang Bise Presidente ay naka-bakasyon muli,” Castro said.
The Vice President’s trip to the Netherlands is reportedly to visit her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained while facing trial for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).