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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178507305399720250821-claire-castro-pco.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Presidential Communications Office Usec. Claire Castro during a press briefing in Malacañang Palace in Manila on July 18, 2025. Revoli Cortez, PPA pool/File"/>Presidential Communications Office Usec. Claire Castro during a press briefing in Malacañang Palace in Manila on July 18, 2025. Revoli Cortez, PPA pool/File</div>MANILA -- Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro took a swipe at Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte over his statements criticizing the administration, accusing him of prioritizing politicking instead of helping his constituents, who were <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/7/25/2-bata-napakapit-sa-puno-sa-pagragasa-ng-baha-sa-davao-city-2135">severely affected by flooding</a> due to intense weekend rains. Duterte had criticized the Marcos Jr. administration during his speech at the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP)-Laban national assembly in Davao City on Saturday.He accused the administration of prioritizing the impeachment of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, as she supposedly poses a “great threat” to the 2028 presidency. “Si Mayor Baste Duterte, kagagaling lang sa bakasyon, kagagaling sa ibang bansa. Instead na unahin ang kapakanan ng mga constituents sa Davao City, dahil nakakaranas sila ng pagbabaha, inuna pa talaga ang pamumulitika,” Castro said in a recorded video message on Sunday, July 26.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/7/26/baste-duterte-blasts-unitary-system-of-government-marcos-admin-anew-0017">Baste Duterte blasts unitary system of government, Marcos admin anew </a> </div>“Ang tanong niya, anong priority ng administrasyon? Kung hindi siguro sila madalas magbiyahe, hindi siguro sila madalas magbakasyon, at nanunood sila ng news, malalaman nila kung ano ba talaga ang programa at proyekto ng pamahalaan,” she added. Castro emphasized that impeachment is a mandate of Congress, reiterating that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has no hand in the process.“Kung talagang ninanais nila na siya [Duterte] ang maging Pangulo, matapos ang termino ni Pangulo Marcos Jr., mas magandang malinis niya ang kanyang pangalan, ang kanyang reputasyon,” she said.“Hanggang ngayon kasi ay hindi pa napasisinungalingan ang ibang mga akusasyon patungkol sa confidential funds, pati na yung unexplained wealth, na sa ngayon nga ay hinaharang pa ang pagbubukas ng mga importanteng dokumento,” Castro added. The Palace official also pushed back against the younger Duterte, who claimed that under the current form of government, the president “can threaten anyone,” citing the situations of Duterte-allied senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is in hiding, and Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who is detained over a plunder case.“Muli nagbintang na naman si Mayor Baste Duterte na lahat daw ay tinatakot. Hindi naman po makakasuhan ang ibang mga kaaliyado nila, or kung sino man, kung wala namang naiaakusa na ginawang krimen o pagkakamali o labag sa batas,” she responded. <div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/13/palace-blasts-baste-says-davao-mayor-spreading-falsehood-1739">Palace blasts Baste; says Davao mayor spreading falsehood </a> </div>Castro argued that it was Marcos Jr.’s allies who first faced cases that are all based on evidence.“Kung walang ginagawang krimen o labag sa batas, hindi naman kailangan matakot dahil ebidensya ang siyang magiging basehan kung sila ay makakasuhan o hindi,” she said.“Sana ito ay maliwanag kay Mayor Baste Duterte. Mas magandang aralin niya muna ang mga ibinibintang or naaakusa sa mga tao ngayon na nahaharap sa mga kaso bago siya mang intriga,” Castro stated. Castro also referenced the administration of the younger Duterte&#x27;s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, in response to criticisms that those behind the patriarch’s detention acted like &quot;syndicates&quot; rather than honorable public officials. “Ang sabi niya rin ay the president moves like a syndicate. Hindi po ba nadinig natin mismo sa tauhan ni dating Pangulo Duterte, si Colonel Espenido, na noong panahon ni dating Pangulo Duterte, ang PNP ay ginawang biggest organized crime group,” she said. Castro was referring to Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido, who led some of the most high-profile drug war killings during the Duterte administration. In a House Quad Comm hearing in 2024, Espenido said that based from his experience, the PNP “is the biggest crime group in the country.&quot;“So huwag niya pong ipahid kay Pangulo Marcos Jr. yung ginawa ng kanyang ama nung siya ay presidente,” she added.“At yung patungkol naman sa issue ng ICC, kung paano nadala si dating Pangulo Duterte doon, hindi po ito magiging issue at hindi ito magiging problema kung wala naman pong diumanong mga nabiktima,” Castro said.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/15/denr-wants-baste-duterte-to-explain-trash-dumping-in-davao-office-1459">DENR wants Baste Duterte to explain trash dumping in Davao office</a></div>The Palace officer also lashed out at the vice president.“Malakas ang loob banggitin ng bise Presidente Sara Duterte ang tungkol sa mga buwaya. Si Bise Presidente Sara Duterte ba ay nakikipag-usap sa kanyang sarili? Mas maganda na mag-reflect, isipin ano ba talaga ang records ng mag-aamang Duterte,” she said.“Mismo ang dating Pangulo Duterte ay umamin na siya ay nagnakaw sa pondo ng bayan. Siya ay corrupt. Kaya lang naubos na. Hindi pwede magmalinis katulad ng ginagawa ngayon ng Bise Presidente dahil siya mismo ngayon ay nililitis may usapin patungkol sa mga paglulustay di umano ng pondo ng bayan,” Castro added.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro took a swipe at Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte over his statements criticizing the administration, accusing him of prioritizing politicking instead of helping his constituents, who were severely affected by flooding due to intense weekend rains.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro took a swipe at Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte over his statements criticizing the administration, accusing him of prioritizing politicking instead of helping his constituents, who were severely affected by flooding due to intense weekend rains.

Castro hits Baste Duterte for prioritizing politicking instead of helping flood victims

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Castro hits Baste Duterte for prioritizing politicking instead of helping flood victims

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 26, 2026 09:38 PM PHT

Read More:

Claire Castro

Palace

Baste Duterte

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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