Palace slams VP Sara for criticizing Marcos' response over Middle East crisis

Malacañang on Tuesday hit back at Vice President Sara Duterte for criticizing President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. over the government's response to the needs of Filipinos affected by the Middle East conflict. 

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the administration has already outlined its responses and measures to address the public's needs amid the crisis.

''Patungkol sa maraming kakulangan ang Pangulo. Unang-una, mas maganda po sana na gamitin muna ang mata at tenga bago ang bibig dahil kapag inuna natin ang bibig at hindi ginagamit ang mata, tenga at utak, magkakamali kayo ng sagot,'' Castro said.

(As regards the claim that the President lacks response to address the needs of the public, it would be better to use first the eyes and ears before the mouth because if we use first our mouth, we tend to provide wrong answers.) 

''Marami na po tayong nabanggit kung anong mga programa ng Pangulo. Kahapon lamang po ay nagbigay siya ng kaniyang mensahe para sa ating mga kababayan especially patungkol dito sa nangyayari sa Middle East,'' she added.

(We've mentioned a lot of programs initiated by the President. Yesterday, he gave a message outlining the government's response to the crisis in the Middle East.) 

In an earlier interview, Duterte criticized the administration for what she described as a lack of preparation for the possible impacts of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

She said warnings about a potential war had already been circulating years earlier.

On Monday evening, Marcos outlined government actions to cushion the impact of rising oil prices amid Middle East tensions.

The President said the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will provide fuel subsidies to farmers and fisherfolk. Cash assistance is also being provided to drivers of public utility vehicles. 

Marcos also said the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines is expected to reduce passenger service charges, landing fees, parking fees, and other airport fees. —AOL, GMA Integrated News