Palace to Pulong: Now you talk about conscience?

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro on Monday hit back at Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte over his criticism of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for insisting that P500 is enough for Noche Buena.

At a Palace briefing, Castro questioned Duterte for talking about conscience, pointing out that it was his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who allegedly admitted to killing people.

"Siya pa po ba ang magsasalita tungkol sa konsensya? (Is he really the one talking about conscience?)," she said.

Castro also reminded the Davao lawmaker that his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, reportedly spoke about having struck a deal with a prospective assassin to kill President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez if the vice president were harmed.

"Hindi po ba ang kaniyang sariling ama ang umamin na he killed people. Sino po ba ang may kakilala na hitman at kayang magpa-liquidate? At sino rin po ba ang umamin na hindi gumagalang sa human rights? Now, are we talking about conscience?"

(Wasn’t it his own father who admitted to killing people? Who is the one connected to hitmen and able to order killings? Who also admitted to having no respect for human rights? Now, are we talking about conscience?)

The Palace official defended the DTI on its position, saying some experts agree the proposal is feasible.

"Ang pinag-uusapan natin dito ay kung kaya – iyon lang po ang issue ng DTI at that time dahil ang DTI po ipinagmamalaki po nila na ang mga manufacturers ay nakausap nila ang mga manufacturers ng mga basic needs, basic commodities na huwag magtaas ng presyo hanggang katapusan ng December," said Castro.

(The DTI says it is feasible. They also told the public that manufacturers of basic commodities agreed not to raise prices until the end of December.)

DTI Secretary Cristina Roque later clarified that a P500 Noche Buena remains possible this year—but only for a family of four and with a pared-down menu.

Castro was responding to remarks made on Monday by the Davao City lawmaker, who criticized the Marcos administration over the DTI's claim that P500 is enough to prepare a Noche Buena for a family of four.

"Madam, even if the ham is as thick as the conscience of your group, the P500 would not suffice. The problem with you is that you have an imaginary shopping mall in mind where everything is cheap, as long as you are not paying for it," he said.

Duterte also disputed the DTI's claim that P500 is enough for a family to prepare a decent Noche Buena.

"Ante Kler, kung ganyan din lang ang level ng analysis mo, mas bagay siguro sa’yo mag-notaryo sa Recto kaysa mag-lecture sa taumbayan kung sapat ba ang P500 para sa Noche Buena," he said.

(If that is your level of analysis, it may be better for you to offer notary services along Recto Avenue than lecture the public about whether P500 is enough for Noche Buena.)

Recto Avenue in Manila is known for roadside stalls notorious for falsified official documents.

The lawmaker said the DTI's claim proves the administration is out of touch with reality.

"Kasi halata, wala ka talagang idea sa totoong hirap ng tao. Busog kasi kayo—hindi sa pagmamahal sa bayan—kundi busog sa korapsyon, kaya hindi niyo na alam magkano ang bili sa palengke," he added.

(It is obvious you have no idea about the real struggles of the public. You are full—not of love for the country—but of corruption, so you no longer know how much things cost in the market.)—MCG, GMA Integrated News