Palace Criticizes Vice President Sara Duterte’s Floodwater Comment
MANILA — The Palace on Wednesday sharply criticized Vice President Sara Duterte’s suggestion that floodwaters be sent to Malacañang for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to drink. Officials described the remark as both “confusing and amusing,” especially since it revealed her apparent lack of knowledge about the laws governing rainwater collection.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro addressed Duterte’s sarcastic comment during a press briefing, responding to Marcos’ earlier proposal to collect floodwaters in Metro Manila for agricultural and other productive uses.
“First of all, she mocked the President’s suggestion to collect rainwater. Perhaps she is unaware of this law,” Castro said in Filipino.
“This isn’t new, which makes it surprising that the Vice President doesn’t seem to know the law about rainwater collectors,” she added.
Castro referred to Republic Act No. 6716, which requires the construction of water wells and rainwater collectors in all barangays nationwide.
She also cited recent government projects, like the Department of Public Works and Highways’ installation of rainwater collection systems in Nueva Vizcaya schools last March.
“Because that is mandated by law, we really are required to have a system for collecting rainwater,” Castro explained in Filipino.
“So the Vice President’s comment came off as somewhat amusing since she seemed unaware of this matter,” she added.
Vice President Criticized for Being Abroad During Flood Response
Castro also rebuked Duterte for criticizing the government’s response to the recent heavy rains, noting that she was abroad on vacation in The Hague and therefore not fully informed.
“First of all, the Vice President likely wouldn’t know about the administration’s preparations for Tropical Storm Crising, as she was out of the country on vacation in The Hague,” Castro said.
“Because these meetings happened before President Marcos left for the U.S., she likely didn’t see or hear about them either,” she added, mostly in Filipino.
Castro listed various government efforts, including free rides provided by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Department of Transportation to help commuters affected by floods.
“Once again, the Vice President can’t help but criticize because she’s not in the Philippines and isn’t seeing what the government is doing for the people,” Castro said in Filipino.
Duterte is currently in The Hague to visit her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained by the International Criminal Court over alleged crimes linked to his administration’s war on drugs.
Meanwhile, President Marcos is in the United States following a bilateral meeting with former US President Donald Trump. Both are expected to return to the Philippines on July 23.
For more news and updates on floodwater collection, visit Filipinokami.com.
