Palace: VP Duterte’s criticisms of admin fueled by fake news

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

Vice President Sara Duterte (Inday Sara Duterte/facebook)

MANILA – Malacañang said Tuesday that Vice President Sara Duterte’s criticism of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. may have been based on wrong information, following her remarks questioning the administration’s handling of the impacts of the Middle East crisis.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement after Duterte said in a recent interview that Marcos had “many shortcomings as President,” citing concerns over empathy and alleged issues in the use of public funds.

Castro said the Vice President’s response may have been influenced by a flawed premise raised during the interview.

“Napansin ko po na maaari na ganito ang nagiging sagot ng Bise Presidente dahil napi-feed siya ng mga maling impormasyon (I noticed that the Vice President’s response may have been like that because she is being fed with wrong information), she said in a press briefing in Cebu.

She cited as an example a question raised to Duterte, claiming that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were upset with Marcos for supposedly not welcoming repatriates at the airport.

“So ngayon, dahil mali na iyong premise… kaya tuloy nasasabi nating nagiging source of fake news ang Bise Presidente (Since the premise was already wrong… it leads us to say that the Vice President is becoming a source of fake news), Castro explained.

She urged journalists to ensure accuracy in their questions to avoid spreading misinformation.

“Mas maganda na maging neutral sa pagtatanong para makapagbigay naman ng matalinong sagot ang ating Bise Presidente (It would be better to remain neutral in asking questions so that the Vice President can give informed answers),” she added.

Castro also pushed back against claims that Marcos has many shortcomings as President.

“Mas maganda po sana na gamitin muna ang mata at tenga bago ang bibig… kapag inuna natin ang bibig at hindi ginagamit ang mata, tenga, at utak, magkakamali tayo ng sagot (It would be better to use one’s eyes and ears first before speaking… if we prioritize speaking without using our eyes, ears, and mind, we will give the wrong answer), she said.

She noted that the administration has rolled out various programs, including fuel subsidies for public transport drivers, farmers, and fisherfolk to cushion the impact of the Middle East crisis.