MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday described as “funny” and “extremely ridiculous” Vice President Sara Duterte’s call for the Marcos administration to “start working and stop politicking,” saying the government remains focused on addressing the country’s challenges.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his administration have consistently worked to improve the economy and the lives of Filipinos since assuming office.
Castro was reacting to Duterte’s latest statement accusing the administration of shifting its narrative by framing issues involving alleged Chinese funding and a drug shipment intercepted in Laos as national security concerns to bring down the Vice President.
“Ang Pangulo at ang administrasyon na ito, simula pa lang noong siya’y maupo, ay patuloy sa pagtatrabaho, hindi lamang para i-angat ang ekonomiya, kung ‘di pati buhay ng bawat Pilipino (The President and his administration have been working continuously since he assumed office, not only to improve the economy but also to improve the lives of every Filipino),” Castro said.
She said the administration is also addressing other challenges, including the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, natural disasters, and the El Niño phenomenon.
Castro stressed that Marcos remains committed to enforcing the law and holding accountable those involved in alleged wrongdoing, including acts that threaten national security.
“Nandiyan ang Pangulo, hindi lang para managot ang dapat na managot, nagsusumikap, nagtatrabaho, pinapatupad ang batas para managot ang dapat na managot. Isama na pati ang mga nagtatraydor sa bansa (The President is there not only to ensure that those who should be held accountable answer for their actions. He is also working hard and enforcing the law to ensure accountability, including for those who betray the country),” she said.
Castro questioned Duterte’s criticism of the administration’s work ethic, citing the Vice President’s frequent overseas trips since 2025, which she described as personal travels.
She clarified that the Palace had not publicly mentioned a planned trip by Duterte to Laos, although Thailand had been mentioned as a destination.
“Sa dinami-dami ng kanyang biyahe, siya pa ang magsasabing ang gobyerno dapat magtrabaho. Lahat ng biyahe niya ay personal trips. Lubhang katawa-tawa ang kanyang mga mensahe. Huwag tayo sanang magpaligaw (Considering the number of her trips, she is the one telling the government to work. Her trips were all personal. That is why her statements are extremely ridiculous. Let us not allow ourselves to be misled),” Castro said.
The Palace official also cited allegations raised against Duterte during the impeachment proceedings in the Senate, saying these have yet to be disproven. She maintained, however, that the Palace would not interfere in the proceedings.
“Maraming mga ebidensya, maraming na ang nagsalita dito sa impeachment trial, pero hindi tayo makihimasok sa anumang nangyayari diyan. Pero hanggang ngayon hindi pa ito napapasinungalingan. At hindi pa naman sila tapos na pagpepresenta ng kanilang ebidensya (There is already substantial evidence, and many have spoken during the impeachment proceedings, but we will not interfere in what is happening there. So far, these have not been disproven, and the presentation of evidence is not yet finished),”
