Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hit back at Vice President Sara Duterte, called her “buwaon,” and accused her of repeatedly spreading lies, dismissing her latest accusations against the administration as “nonsense” and “fake news,” Malacañang said Monday, Sept. 28.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos personally responded to Duterte’s claim that his administration was becoming increasingly desperate to bring her down amid a failing impeachment case, push Charter change, and prevent the 2028 elections from happening.
“Iyan po ay nonsense, fake news, mahilig magsinungaling, mga buwaon,” Castro quoted Marcos as saying.
[Translation: That is nonsense, fake news, fond of lying, liars.]
Castro explained that “buwaon,” a Visayan term, means “sinungaling” or liar.
Duterte accused the administration of using allegations by Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., a former security aide of ex-House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, as an act of desperation.
Gracioso has alleged that he delivered more than ₱2 billion in cash to Duterte on more than 20 occasions on Velasco’s instructions. The National Bureau of Investigation is investigating the issue.
Duterte has denied knowing Gracioso or receiving money from him while Velasco’s camp has also rejected the claim.
Castro said the president decided to respond because he believed Duterte’s accusations had become repetitive.
“Paulit-ulit po kasi. Paulit-ulit, hindi tumitigil sa paninira kay pangulo, sa paninira sa administrasyong ito,” Castro said.
[Translation: It keeps happening repeatedly. Repeatedly, the attacks against the president and this administration do not stop.]
She said allegations involving public funds should be investigated if there is evidence to support them, but warned against accepting claims without proof.
Castro also defended the administration’s position on the impeachment trial, saying it was expected for Duterte, as the respondent, to argue that the evidence against her was weak.
“Natural po sa isang bise presidente na siya mismo ang respondent sa impeachment trial, ang sasabihin niya mahina ang mga ebidensiya laban sa kanya,” Castro said.
[Translation: It is natural for a vice president who is herself the respondent in an impeachment trial to say that the evidence against her is weak.]
