Metro Manila, Philippines – Palace press officer Claire Castro challenged Senator Robin Padilla over his criticism of her response to an incident during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit to Canada, asking whether the senator tolerates cursing and wishing death on others.
Padilla earlier said Castro should not be “balat-sibuyas,” or thin-skinned, arguing that public service comes with scrutiny and even insults.
Castro said Padilla should have first known the full circumstances before making such a remark.
“Mas maganda sana kung nagsalita muna si Senator Robin Padilla at inalam niya ang buong kuwento bago siya nagsalita na balat-sibuyas,” Castro said.
(Translation: It would have been better if Senator Robin Padilla had first learned the whole story before calling me thin-skinned.)
She said the Palace did not release the video of the incident and had no intention of turning it into a bigger issue.
“Hindi po kami ang nagpakalat ng video. Wala po kaming balak na ito ay palakihin,” she said.
(Translation: We did not release the video. We had no intention of making this a bigger issue.)
Castro said she initially refused to comment and only responded after members of the Malacañang Press Corps sought her reaction. She said the issue was not about being overly sensitive as it is about unacceptable conduct.
“Hindi ito isyu ng pagiging balat-sibuyas. Isyu ito ng mga Pilipino na nagpapakita ng kagaspangan ng ugali,” Castro said.
(Translation: This is not about being thin-skinned. This is about Filipinos displaying rude behavior.)
Castro then questioned whether Padilla condones abusive language and death wishes.
“Ito-tolerate niya ba ang mga kapwa niya Pilipino… ang mga salitang ‘mamatay ka na sana’ o kaya ang pagmumura?” she said.
(Translation: Does he tolerate fellow Filipinos saying ‘I hope you die’ or using profanities?)
She warned that accepting such behavior could send the wrong message to young Filipinos.
“Kapag tinolerate natin iyan, ang masasabi ng mga kabataan ngayon ay tama lang palang magmura at magdasal ng kamatayan ng iba,” Castro said.
(Translation: If we tolerate that, young people may think it’s acceptable to curse and wish death on others.)
Castro also criticized Padilla for not condemning Vice President Sara Duterte’s previous remarks against President Marcos.
“Bakit hindi man lang niya inalmahan ang bise presidente noong ito ay nagmura nang magmura sa pangulo natin at pinagbantaan pa ng buhay?” she said.
(Translation: Why didn’t he object when the vice president repeatedly cursed our president and even threatened his life?)
