Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte is not the “better” alternative for Filipinos, a Palace official said Monday, citing the corruption allegations she faces while criticizing the Marcos administration.
In an interview on ‘The Newsmaker,’ Palace press officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said that while Filipinos “deserve better,” Duterte is not in a position to make that happen.
“Huwag magmalinis ang hindi malinis. Huwag magpakabayani ang hindi bayani,” Castro said, referring to allegations involving Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds when she was education secretary, as well as questions over supposed “ghost students” and “ghost food packs.”
“Yes, Filipinos deserve better, and definitely the vice president is not the better option,” she said.
Castro responded to Duterte’s remarks earlier Monday that stated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. risks facing a “profound crisis of confidence” over what she described as corruption investigations that lack “direction and resolve.”
She said Duterte must first address the controversies linked to her office if she wants to speak about transparency and accountability.
“She should explain these issues if they truly believe in transparency,” Castro said.
The Palace official also noted that Marcos ordered investigations into long-standing anomalies, saying many “ghost projects” date back to 2020 and were not addressed by the previous administration.
“President Marcos led the investigation into anomalies that were not addressed before,” she said.
Castro reiterated that Filipinos “deserve better,” adding that voters should choose leaders carefully.
Earlier, Duterte said she stood with Filipinos who are “frustrated and disgusted by a government drowning in insecurity and greed.”
