Palace: VP Sara's presidential bid 'irrelevant' as Marcos focused on key issues

"Irrelevant."

That's how Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro described Vice President Sara Duterte's presidential bid for 2028 as she pointed out that President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is focused on addressing key issues in the country.

This, as Castro was asked if Malacañang sees Duterte's early declaration as a way to determine who will remain allies of the administration and who are those who will back the Vice President. 

''Ang ganyan pong pananaw, hindi po ito ang pananaw ng Palasyo. Irrelevant po ang pagdedeklara ng Bise Presidente na siya'y tatakbo bilang Pangulo. Bakit irrelevant? Hindi po iyan ang nakikita ng Pangulo sa ngayon dahil hindi po kinakailangang magwatak-watak ang mga Pilipino,'' Castro said.

(That's not the perspective of the Palace. Her declaration is irrelevant. Why irrelevant? That's not what the President wants as he doesn't want Filipinos to divide.) 

Castro added that what Marcos wants are measures to improve the country's economy and solutions to address flood problems. 

''Ang mga kababayan po natin, lalong-lalo na po 'yung mga leaders, mga public servants, hindi po dapat nagkakampihan sa ngayon," she said.

(Our leaders and public servants should not take sides.)

"Ang kailangan po ng Pangulo ay pagkakaisa upang maiangat ang ekonomiya, masolusyunan ang isyu sa baha, maiangat ang employment rate ng ating mga kababayan. 'Yan po ang dapat na inuuna na solusyunan ng ating gobyerno at ang pagkakampihan, hindi po ito napapanahon so that's why it's irrelevant,'' Castro added.

(The President wants unity in developing the economy, addressing flood woes, and improving the employment rate. These things should be prioritized by our government.) 

GMA News Online has reached out to Duterte's camp for comment but it has yet to reply as of posting time. 

On Wednesday, Duterte announced that she would run for president in the 2028 national elections.

The President simply wished his former running mate "good luck," Castro earlier said.

Leni presidency?

Meanwhile, asked about the remarks of political analyst Antonio Contreras that a ''Leni presidency'' can defeat Duterte's presidential bid, Castro said Malacañang respects it but noted that politics is not their focus right now.

This, as Marcos and former Vice President Leni Robredo are set to meet over the weekend for the implementation of Oplan Kontra Baha in Naga City, Camarines Sur on Saturday, February 21.

''So, ang lumalabas sa opinyon ni Professor Antonio Contreras ay former VP Leni vs. VP Sara? So ang lumalabas ay aksyon versus bakasyon, nagtratrabaho versus hindi nagtratrabaho, pro-Philippines versus not pro any country? Suhestiyon na igagalang, patawad pero hindi napapanahon,'' she said. 

(Based on the opinion of Professor Antonio Contreras, it's former VP Leni vs VP Sara? So it's action versus vacation? Working versus not working? Pro-Philippines versus not pro any country? That's a suggestion that is respected; however, we apologize as it is not timely.)

However, Castro said no information yet was given if the two will discuss political plans.  —VAL, GMA Integrated News