Press Officer of Malacañang Speaks on Criticisms of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte vs. Marcos Admin
Malacañang asserted that Vice President Sara Duterte is in The Hague, thus, she cannot see the preparations and works of the Marcos administration regarding the flood problem in the Philippines.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is seemingly against the plan of Pres. Bongbong Marcos for the government to collect the floodwater in the National Capital Region (NCR) in preparation for the dry season. During an interview in The Hague, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte said the floodwater can be collected and delivered to Malacañang for the President to drink. Her remark did not sit well with many people who expect professionalism from the second-highest official in the government.
Aside from her reaction towards the proposal of Marcos Jr., Vice Pres. Duterte also claimed that the Philippine government allegedly has no project to address the problem about flooding in several areas in the country. According to her, it is supposedly like the country is just waiting for the storm and the flooding every year.
“Wala talagang mga proyekto na nag-aadress sa baha. Ibig sabihin inaantay na lang nating dumating ‘yung bagyo at ‘yung baha at maging biktima na naman tayo ulit ng baha taon-taon,” the Vice President claimed.
Malacañang press officer undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro reacted to the remarks of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. Based on a report on GMA News, the Palace official stressed that the Vice President won’t really know about the preparations of the Marcos administration for Typhoon Crising as she is currently not in the country.
Duterte is in The Hague, Netherlands now for visits to her father, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The former Chief Executive is detained under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since March. He is facing an accusation of crimes against humanity over his admin’s war on drugs.
“Unang-una po hindi naman po talaga malalaman marahil ni Bise President kung ano po ang pagpe-preprare ng administrasyon patungkol po dito sa Bagyong Crising dahil wala po siya sa bansa at nagbabakasyon siya sa The Hague,” the Malacañang official said.
Based on the report, Atty. Claire Castro stressed that there were meetings before Pres. Bongbong Marcos flew to the United States regarding the flood problem in the country. She stressed that Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is not physically present in the country to judge whatever work the President, the administration, and the concerned agencies do.
The Malacañang press official also stressed that the accomplishments of the different concerned agencies have already been reported. According to her, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) have given the public free transport. Based on the report, she stressed that the Vice President could not see what the government is doing for the people as she is not here.
“Hindi po maiiwasan ni Bise President na mamintas dahil wala po siya sa Pilipinas at hindi po niya nakikita kung ano ang ginagawa ng gobyerno para sa taumbayan,” she expressed.
Marcos Jr. has ordered the temporary suspension of the preparations for his upcoming SONA (State of the Nation Address) so that all efforts can be directed to help the victims of flooding and the Habagat in the country. First Lady Liza Marcos, together with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, also went out to give “Charitimba” to the people affected by the Southwest Monsoon.