Metro Manila, Philippines – Palace press officer Claire Castro praised former Vice President and Naga Mayor Leni Robredo’s record in office while criticizing Vice President Sara Duterte’s performance, saying the two differed in work ethic and awareness of national issues.
Speaking on The Newsmaker, Castro said Robredo demonstrated that she could deliver public service even with limited resources during her term.
“Nakita ng taong bayan kung paano siyang tumulong, paano siyang nakakuha ng ibang pondo through her efforts sa Angat Buhay. Nakita natin kung paano niya napagaan din ang buhay ng mga kababayan natin. Kahit ang liit ng pondo niya noon, ‘di siya nagrereklamo. Wala pa siyang confidential funds. At hindi po siya nagbabakasyon. Alam ko, nagtatrabaho siya noon,” she said.
[Translation: The public saw how she helped people and secured additional resources through Angat Buhay. We saw how she improved the lives of Filipinos. Even though she had a small budget, she did not complain. She had no confidential funds, and she did not go on vacations. I know she was working then.]
Castro contrasted that with Duterte, saying the vice president has not kept herself informed about important national issues.
“Siguro yung isa, mas madalas magbakasyon. At hindi siya aware sa mga nangyayari sa paligid. Ano yung mga issues? Unlike si VP Lenny at the time, medyo talagang aware siya sa lahat at alam niya kung paano ito susolusyonan,” the official said.
[Translation: Perhaps the other one goes on vacation more often. She is not aware of what is happening around her or of the issues. Unlike VP Leni at the time, she was very much aware of everything and knew how to address it.]
Earlier in the interview, Castro welcomed Robredo’s recent acknowledgment of national government projects in Naga City, saying it reflected a willingness to recognize government programs regardless of political differences.
“Open siya. Kung ano yung nakikita niya, hindi niya ito ipagkakait sa taong bayan. Kasi kailangan po talaga ng mga kababayan natin malaman yung totoo,” she said.
[Translation: She is open. Whatever she sees, she does not withhold from the public because people need to know the truth.]
Castro also cited Robredo’s remarks that assistance to Naga City had increased under the Marcos administration and that the use of government funds had been transparent. She said those comments carried weight because they came from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s former political rival.
She then took another swipe at Duterte, suggesting the vice president’s criticism of the Marcos administration stemmed from her failure to keep herself informed.
