Palace Responds to Vice President Sara Duterte’s Tirades
MANILA, Philippines — The Palace firmly addressed Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent tirades against the Marcos administration by highlighting the massive national debt accumulated during her father’s presidency. This clear reminder came as officials responded to her questions about the country’s soaring debt.
During a briefing, Press Officer Claire Castro was asked to react to Duterte’s remarks about the P16-trillion national debt and where the funds had been utilized. The four-word keyphrase early in the discussion—”Vice President Sara Duterte’s tirades”—was central to the exchange.
Vice President Duterte, speaking before a Filipino community in Australia, questioned the management and allocation of the government’s P16-trillion debt. Castro responded firmly, saying, “May kasabihan nga tayo, ang hindi marunong tumingin sa pinanggalingan, hindi talaga malalaman ang katotohanan.” She emphasized that understanding the debt’s origin is essential to grasping the full picture.
Clarifying the Debt Origins
Castro clarified that the P16 trillion is the total accumulated debt of the Philippine government, much of which was inherited before President Marcos Jr. assumed office. She highlighted that the previous Duterte administration recorded the highest debt, reaching P12.79 trillion by June 2022. Out of this, P6.84 trillion was incurred solely under former President Rodrigo Duterte, marking a 115.1% increase in the national debt.
The Palace official challenged the Vice President’s apparent disregard for ongoing government projects under the current administration. These include enhanced PhilHealth benefit packages, the P20-per-kilo rice program, and fuel subsidies — initiatives aimed at easing the burden on Filipinos.
Castro also pointed out that Duterte herself acknowledged reports of positive economic developments, albeit calling them “only on paper.” “This means she admitted proof exists that the economy is improving,” Castro said, underscoring that the progress is documented and not mere hearsay.
Addressing Political Rift and Election Regrets
At the same event, Vice President Duterte expressed regret over partnering with President Marcos during the 2022 elections. Castro stated that the President has no personal reaction to these remarks, reflecting his composed character. “We would never hear that kind of negativity from him,” she added.
She also noted, “If anyone regrets teaming up with him, it’s their loss, not the President’s.” The two ran under the UniTeam banner, but their alliance fractured visibly after Duterte resigned as Education Secretary last year.
Speculation about their strained relationship grew stronger when Duterte revealed she instructed someone to kill Marcos, his wife, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were assassinated. This shocking admission deepened the political divide and added tension to the ongoing discourse.
Looking Ahead Amid Tensions
The Palace’s response to Vice President Sara Duterte’s tirades illustrates the continuing political friction within the country’s leadership. Despite this, officials remain focused on highlighting government achievements and clarifying misconceptions about national debt and economic progress.
For more news and updates on Philippines politics, visit Filipinokami.com.