Virgilio Lorenzo Jr

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro pushed back against Vice President Sara Duterte, who earlier said that she has no problem with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‘as a person’ but as the country’s head for being a "weak leader."

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Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<p>Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro pushed back against Vice President Sara Duterte, who earlier said that she has no problem with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‘as a person’ but as the country’s head for being a &quot;weak leader.&quot;</p><p>In a recorded video message on Friday, Castro said this is a testament that Marcos Jr. treated Duterte properly both as a person and as the vice president.  </p><p>“Sa isyu na nilinaw ng bise presidente na wala silang away ng Pangulo at wala rin daw siyang problema kay Pangulo Marcos Jr. bilang tao. Nagpapatunay ito, sa kanya na galing mismo, na ang Pangulo ay hindi nagkaroon ng masamang pagtrato sa kanya bilang tao at bilang bise presidente,” she said.</p><p>“Sa totoo nga kahit hindi siya nagtatrabaho at lagi siyang nasa ibang bansa, wala tayong madidinig kay Pangulo Marcos Jr.,” she added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/31/vp-sara-says-no-problem-with-marcos-as-a-person-but-blasts-his-weak-leadership-1245"><strong>VP Sara says no problem with Marcos &#x27;as a person&#x27; but blasts his &#x27;weak&#x27; leadership </strong></a> </div><p>However, Castro recalled the alleged ‘kill threat’ against the First Couple and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.  </p><p>“Pero bakit pinersonal ng bise presidente yung galit niya? Kailangan kumausap pa siya ng taong willing na gumawa ng kanyang utos na ipapatay ang Pangulo Marcos Jr., si First Lady at ang dating House Speaker Romualdez,” the Palace official said.  </p><p>“Pinapalabas niya na walang kakayanan daw mamuno at ang bansa ay in chaos. Sa totoo lang, sino ba ang gumagawa ng kaguluhan? Sino ba yung nagbabalak ng destabilization? Hindi ba ang grupo nila? Dahil gusto nilang makuha ‘yung posisyon mula kay Pangulo? At sasabihin niya na karapatan niya magsalita bilang ordinaryong citizen ng bansa?” she further stated.</p><p>Castro also responded to Duterte, who maintained that she had a right to express “whatever comment I have with this administration.”</p><p>“Malaya ang bawat Pilipino na magsalita. Pero hindi dapat mga fake news. Hindi dapat panloloko sa katotohanan. Lagi niya sinasabi na walang nagawa ang Pangulo. Taliwas. Taliwas sa sinasabi mismo ni dating bise presidente Leni Robredo. Siya mismo nagpatunay na maraming ginagawa ang gobyerno. Maraming proyekto ang Pangulo. Nandiyan ang pabahay. Pati yung pag-aayos sa matagal nang problema tungkol sa baha,” Castro said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/31/sara-duterte-s-spouse-questions-release-of-their-tax-records-1101"><strong>Sara Duterte&#x27;s spouse Mans Carpio says release of their tax records should undergo &#x27;judicial review&#x27;</strong></a> </div><p>The Palace official further emphasized that the administration has many projects even in Duterte’s hometown, Davao City.</p><p>“Tandaan natin, kahit na sa Davao, Davao City na mismo. Sana ibukas niya yung mata niya dahil yung pabahay na nandiyan sa Davao City, naramdaman ng mga Davaoenos. Pati na po yung pagsasaayos ngayon dahil sa patuloy na pagbaha diyan sa Davao City. Inaayos po yan ng gobyerno sa utos po ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. Sana huwag magbulag-bulagan,” she said. </p><div> </div>

<p>Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro pushed back against Vice President Sara Duterte, who earlier said that she has no problem with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‘as a person’ but as the country’s head for being a "weak leader."</p>

Castro responds to Sara Duterte’s ‘no rift’ remark

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Castro responds to Sara Duterte’s ‘no rift’ remark

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 31, 2026 09:29 PM PHT

Read More:

Claire Castro

Sara Duterte

Ferdinand Marcos Jr

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