Palace: It's Sara Duterte who should tell allies to stop politicking

Malacañang on Friday hit back at Vice President Sara Duterte over her remarks that government officials should stop politicking and making calls for accountability in order to advance their own interests.

In a message to reporters, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said it is Duterte who should call out her own allies for politicking and spreading disinformation to smear the image of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

"Ang dapat pagsabihan ni VP Sara ay 'yung mga kaalyado niya na puro pamumulitika at pagkakalat ng fake news para sirain si Pangulong Marcos, Jr. at ang administrasyon upang iluklok siya kaagad na Pangulo kahit wala pang 2028," Castro said.

(VP Sara should call out her allies who keep on engaging in politicking and spreading fake news to discredit President Marcos Jr. and the administration, in an attempt to install her as President even before 2028.)

"Bakit titigilan ang pagsulong ng transparency and accountability? Parte ito ng mandato at obligasyon ng bawat public servant," she added.

(Why should we stop the call for transparency and accountability? It is part of the mandate and obligation of every public servant.)

Duterte, who earlier announced her intention to run for president in the 2028 elections, is facing impeachment charges over allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and other high crimes.

Castro stressed that the Vice President should answer the accusations against her.

"Obligasyon niya bilang Bise Presidente na sagutin ang mga inaakusa sa kanya. Ang pagtatago ng katotohanan patungkol rito ay pagtataksil sa bayan. Walang namumulitika rito, ang impeachment trial ay nakasaad sa ating Konstitusyon," she said.

(It is her obligation as Vice President to answer the accusations against her. Concealing the truth regarding this matter is betrayal to the nation. There is no politicking involved here, the impeachment trial is mandated by our Constitution.)

Duterte on Wednesday said that instead of politicking, fellow government officials should focus on peace and order, and progress of the country.

The Vice President also told Filipinos not to lose hope for the Philippines.

Castro, in return, asked Duterte what she has done to help improve the country.

"Si Pangulong Marcos Jr. ay nakatutok sa kaayusan, kapayapaan at kaunlaran ng bansa. Walang patid ang pagtatrabaho ng Pangulo kahit na ang Bise Presidente ay mas madalas na nakabasyon at umaalis ng bansa. Ano ba ang naitulong na ng Bise Presidente sa Pangulo patungkol sa kaayusan, kapayapaan at kaunlaran ng bansa? Wala," she said.

(President Marcos Jr. is focused on the country's order, peace, and development. The President works nonstop, even as the Vice President is frequently on vacation or traveling abroad. What has the Vice President done to help the President regarding the country's order, peace, and development? Nothing.)

The impeachment trial of the Vice President formally began on July 6, and will resume next Monday, July 13. — VDV, GMA News