Palace to Sara Duterte: Unacceptable to anticipate Marcos resignation

Malacañang on Wednesday slammed Vice President Sara Duterte for expressing that she is ready to replace President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. 

'Unang-una po, ang Bise Presidente, hindi acceptable, it is not acceptable for a vice president to anticipate the resignation of the president – Presidente na pinagsisigawan nilang bumaba sa puwesto,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said in a briefing. 

(First of all, this is not acceptable; it is not acceptable for a vice president to anticipate the resignation of the president – the President whom they've been urging to resign.) 

Castro said Duterte's remark was a form of political destabilization.

''This is definitely a form of political destabilization; pinapahina niya ang public confidence ng tao sa administrasyon. And those words contribute to the climate of uncertainty and crisis. Kung handa siya, makikita po natin, nag-anticipate siya na mawawala ang Pangulo—iyan po ang balak nila, iyan po ang nasa isip nila, at iyan po ang ginagawa nila ngayon,'' she said.

(She is demeaning the public's confidence in the administration, and those words contribute to the climate of uncertainty and crisis. If she's saying that she is ready, she is anticipating that the President will be out of his post. That's their plan, that's what's on their minds, and that's what they're doing.)

Castro even asked if the public is ready for more ''Mary Grace Piattos"—the name whose signature appeared in multiple acknowledgement receipts for confidential funds of offices under Duterte's leadership.

It was earlier revealed that the OVP and Department of Education (DepEd), previously led by Duterte, submitted documents with wrong dates, signatures without names of signatories, and unreadable names of signatories to justify the disbursement of its confidential funds in 2022 and 2023.

''Handa na po siya maging pangulo kapag po nawala or natanggal ang Pangulo sa puwesto, tama po ba iyon? Iyon po ba ang sinabi? Handa siyang pumalit sa Pangulo kapag nagbitiw?'' Castro said.

(She's ready if the President was removed from his post, was that her statement? She's ready if the President resigned?)

''Itanong din natin sa taumbayan: Handa na po ba kayo sa mas marami pang Mary Grace Piattos?'' she added.

(Let's also ask the public: Are you ready for more Mary Grace Piattos?)

In an interview with reporters Tuesday, Duterte said she is ready to take over if ever something happens to the President. 

"There is no question about my readiness. I presented myself to you when I was a candidate for Vice President with the understanding that I am the first in line in succession," she said when asked on the matter.  —AOL/ VAL, GMA Integrated News