MANILA – Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro has publicly referenced former President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial description of his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, as a "drama queen." The remarks were made during a press conference on Friday, February 27, 2026, amid escalating political tensions.
Questioning Vice President's Credibility
Castro was responding to queries about VP Duterte's recent statements regarding her 2028 presidential bid. The Vice President claimed that some of her engagements had been canceled because organizers feared retaliation from the current administration. In her response, Castro highlighted a news article where the former president labeled his daughter as untruthful.
"Mismong ang dating pangulong Duterte ang nagsabi na may mga pagkakataon na ang bise presidente ay sinungaling," Castro stated, translating to: "Former president Duterte himself said that there were instances when the Vice President was lying." She emphasized the contradiction, adding, "Dito pinasinungalingan niya mismo na sinabi ng dating mayor Sara Duterte. So kailan pa ba natin paniniwalaan ang mga sinasabi ng bise presidente kung mismo ang kanyang ama ay sinasabing siya ay nagsisinungaling," which means: "Here, he himself contradicted what former mayor Sara Duterte said. So when will we believe the statements of the Vice President if even her own father is saying that she is lying?"
Agreement on Political Regrets
Castro also expressed agreement with VP Duterte's recent lament about her political career choices. The Vice President had stated that she should have remained as mayor of Davao City instead of running for Vice President in 2022. Castro echoed this sentiment, suggesting it would have been more beneficial for the country.
"Sumasang-ayon tayo sa kaniyang naturan, mas maganda nga po sana kung nanatili na lang siyang mayor sa Davao City at nahalal natin ang isang bise presidente na tutulong sana sa ating pangulo, isang bise presidente na magtatrabaho at aaksyon at hindi bakasyon at hindi puro paninira ang gagawin sa ating pangulo," she said. This translates to: "We agree with her statement. It would have been better if she had just remained mayor of Davao City and we had elected a vice president who would help our President, a vice president who would work and take action—not go on vacation and not merely criticize our President."
Castro further elaborated, "Mas umunlad sana o mas uunlad pa, maliban sa ginagawa ng pangulo ngayon, kung siya ay may katuwang para sa pag-unlad ng bansa. Mas nagiging mainam sana, pero sabi nga natin, nasa huli ang pagsisisi," meaning: "The country could have progressed more, beyond what the President is doing now, if he had a partner in advancing the nation. It would have been better, but as we say, regret comes at the end."
Background of Political Strain
This exchange occurs against a backdrop of deepening political divisions. VP Duterte recently expressed deep regret for helping President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ascend to the presidency, blaming the current administration for widespread corruption, severe flooding, hunger among families, and skyrocketing prices of basic necessities.
The strain in their relationship became evident in June 2024 when VP Duterte resigned from her national Cabinet positions, including her role as Education Secretary and vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac). This move was widely interpreted as an early indicator of the deteriorating alliance between the Duterte and Marcos factions.
The ongoing public sparring highlights the intense political rivalries shaping the Philippines' landscape as the 2028 elections approach, with familial and administrative conflicts taking center stage in national discourse.
