Ched Rick Gatchalian

A vendor attends to her stall at the Nepa Q-Mart in Quezon City on December 14, 2022. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News 

 

Article (news)

Claire Castro on P500 Noche Buena: ‘Ang pinag-uusapan lang ay kung kaya’

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764579619188176431278484320221214-noche-buena-prices-jc1121.webp" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="A vendor attends to her stall at the Nepa Q-Mart in Quezon City on December 14, 2022. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A vendor attends to her stall at the Nepa Q-Mart in Quezon City on December 14, 2022. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p style="text-align:left">MANILA — Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro defended anew the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) earlier statement that P500 is enough for Filipinos to afford a Noche Buena spread.</p><p>“Ang pinag-uusapan lang sa P500 ay kung kaya,” Castro told Palace reporters.</p><p>“Iba po ang usapin na dapat mas marangya, mas festive kapag pinaguusapan natin ang handa sa pasko,” she said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/11/28/solons-slam-dti-s-p500-noche-buena-remark-sa-anong-planeta-kasya-1552">Solons slam DTI’s P500 Noche Buena remark: &#x27;Sa anong planeta kasya?&#x27;</a></div><p>The DTI was simply highlighting the fact that they were able to convince manufacturers not to hike prices in December, she said.</p><p>Castro also defended herself against Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte’s accusations that she and the rest of the administration had little conscience for saying that Filipinos can have their Christmas Eve feast for only P500.</p><p>“Siya pa po ba ang magsasalita tungkol sa konsensya? Hindi po ba sarili niyang ama ang umamin na he killed people? Sino po ba ang umamin na hindi gumagalang sa human rights?” Castro said.</p><p>“Hindi po ba ang sarili niyang ama ang umamin na siya ay corrupt? So sino ang nakinabang?” she added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/28/icc-chamber-rejects-duterte-s-appeal-for-interim-release-1817">ICC appeals chamber rejects Duterte&#x27;s interim release bid</a></div><p>Castro underscored that the Marcos administration has also been implementing other programs to improve the quality of life of Filipinos, including the sale of P20 per kilo rice, the opening of Kadiwa markets and operationalizing soup kitchens for the poor.</p>

<p>Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro defended anew the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) earlier statement that P500 is enough for Filipinos to afford a Noche Buena spread.</p>

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro defended anew the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) earlier statement that P500 is enough for Filipinos to afford a Noche Buena spread.

Palace spox on P500 Noche Buena: ‘Ang pinag-uusapan lang ay kung kaya’

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Business

Palace spox on P500 Noche Buena: ‘Ang pinag-uusapan lang ay kung kaya’

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 01, 2025 05:32 PM PHT

|

Updated December 01, 2025 06:24 PM PHT

Read More:

Claire Castro

DTI

Noche Buena

Christmas

Marcos administration

Paolo Duterte

P500 Noche Buena

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.