Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1752029028156Screenshot 2025-07-09 at 10.42.50 AM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former DTI undersecretary Ruth Castelo is the new spokesperson of the OVP. Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATE) </strong>— Vice President Sara Duterte&#x27;s office on Wednesday announced the appointment of former trade undersecretary Ruth Castelo as its new spokesperson, saying she would not serve as an “attack dog.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/5/sara-duterte-spokesperson-leaves-ovp-says-contract-pre-terminated-1306">Sara Duterte spokesperson leaves OVP, says contract &#x27;pre-terminated&#x27;</a></div><p>Castelo said she applied for “any position” in the OVP in early 2025 after leaving the Department of Trade and Industry, where she was placed on “floating status” after she authorized a raid on a Davao-based steel company.</p><p>“I was undersecretary for the Consumer Protection Group. I did something that any honest government official will do. I was put in hot water for that, and I was floated,” she said.</p><p>“It was not a good separation for me with the department because I was doing what was right,” she said.</p><p>“Me being keen on joining the Office of the Vice President is my way of giving back to the country,” she said.</p><p>Castelo’s role will only cover issues surrounding the OVP, while lawyer Michael Poa will respond to questions on impeachment matters.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘NOT AN ATTACK DOG’</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Castelo said Duterte instructed her “to be forthright with the message that I need to convey and these are the projects and programs.”</p><p>“The instructions are: I am not an attack dog,” Castelo said.</p><p>“I will not go on the offensive. I will just report on what message the Office of the Vice President needs,” she said.</p><p>“I am not here to sling any mud to anyone.”</p><p>Castelo clarified that the case of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and grave abuse of authority filed against her before the Office of the Ombudsman has been dismissed.</p><p>The same steel company that filed charges against Castelo sought her disbarment in 2023, but she has yet to receive a notice if the Supreme Court has already acted on the petition.</p><p>Castelo — a lawyer by profession — used to anchor the DTI&#x27;s consumer education radio program “Konsyumer Atbp” on DZMM and DZBB.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3euYVfv5-w0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><strong></strong><em><strong></strong></em><br/></div>

<p>Vice President Sara Duterte's office on Wednesday announced the appointment of former trade undersecretary Ruth Castelo as its new spokesperson.</p>

Vice President Sara Duterte's office on Wednesday announced the appointment of former trade undersecretary Ruth Castelo as its new spokesperson.

‘Not an attack dog’: Sara Duterte office taps ex-DTI official Ruth Castelo as new spokesperson

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

‘Not an attack dog’: Sara Duterte office taps ex-DTI official Ruth Castelo as new spokesperson

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 09, 2025 10:50 AM PHT

|

Updated Jul 09, 2025 12:33 PM PHT

Read More:

OVP

Ruth Castelo

Sara Duterte

OVP spokesperson

politics

ANC

ANC promo

ABSNews

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

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.