Castro dismisses talk of spox clash, says VP doesn’t need ‘attack dog’

Metro Manila, Philippines - Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro brushed aside any suggestion of a brewing rivalry between Malacañang and the Office of the Vice President (OVP), saying Vice President Sara Duterte does not need an “attack dog” following the appointment of a new spokesperson.

The newly appointed OVP spokesperson, former DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo, earlier said she will not serve as an “attack dog” and instead focus on communicating the work of the office.

In response, Castro said there was no need for an attack dog in the first place.

“Hindi siya attack dog. Definitely, VP Sara does not need any more an attack dog. Hindi niya na po kailangan ang isang attack dog,” Castro said.

[Translation: She’s not an attack dog. Definitely, VP Sara no longer needs an attack dog.]

Castelo made her remark after Castro previously took a swipe at Duterte’s repeated foreign trips, calling for “Aksyon, hindi bakasyon [Action, not vacation.].”

Pressed on what Malacañang expects from the vice president, Castro clarified that the Palace was not assigning duties, only asking Duterte to refrain from criticizing the administration.

“Hindi po natin siya hinahanapan ng anumang trabaho. Huwag na lang po niyang pintasan ang pamahalaan dahil ang Pangulo ay nagtatrabaho. Huwag niya po sanang ipangalandakan sa buong mundo na ang Pangulo ay walang direksyon,” she said.

[Translation: We’re not asking her to take on any work. We’re only asking her not to criticize the government because the President is working. We hope she won’t go around telling the world that the President has no direction.]

When asked whether Castelo’s appointment signals a brewing “battle of spokespersons,” Castro dismissed the idea outright.

“Bakit may [Why is there a need for] battle? It’s all about facts, truth, transparency,” she said.