Malacañang fired back at Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday after she claimed the country was heading “to the dumpster,” questioning her prolonged absence and commitment to her duties.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro countered Duterte’s statement, arguing that leaders like her, who prioritize foreign trips, could indeed steer the country in the wrong direction.
“Hindi ba mas mapupunta tayo sa dumpster kung ang magiging pangulo natin o magiging leader natin ay mga katulad nila VP Sara, na mas inuuna pang magpunta sa abroad,” Castro said.
Duterte is currently in The Hague, Netherlands, overseeing the defense of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who faces charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his war on drugs.
Castro suggested that the Vice President’s absence was affecting her ability to fulfill her responsibilities.
“Siguro sinasabi niya iyan na road to perdition na tayo. Bakit? Dahil hindi naman (niya) nakikita kung ano ang mga ginagawa, mga proyekto, programa naisagawa na at naitulong na ng pamahalaan sa taumbayan,” she added.