Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Tuesday dismissed claims by Vice President Sara Duterte that the administration is behind efforts to discredit her, stating that the Vice President is solely responsible for her ongoing political troubles.
Castro rejected allegations that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and executive officials orchestrated a smear campaign, including pending impeachment moves and corruption allegations, to divert attention from government issues.
“Kung may sumisira man kay Bise Presidente, siya ang may kagagawan nun sa sarili niya. Sila ang nakinabang sa bawat sentimo na nakukuha nila o nadedeposito sa kanilang accounts ng mga banyaga at di umanong drug lords,” Castro said.
“Ang sarap at pagpapasasa ay nasa kanila kaya huwag magturo sa iba kapag nagkakabulgaran na ng mga anomalya. Panindigan nila ang mga ginawa nila,” she also said.
The response follows statements from the Vice President accusing the administration of driving political attacks rather than addressing public concerns regarding government infrastructure spending.
Castro said the Vice President resorted to pointing fingers because she could no longer defend herself against emerging allegations that she and her husband, attorney Manases Carpio, received foreign financial contributions.
She noted that the Vice President’s office has yet to present documentary proof or formal evidence to refute the financial disclosures presented before oversight bodies.
“Sa ngayon, wala pang pagpapasinungaling dito. Wala pang ibinibigay talaga na konkretong ebidensya na wala sila natanggap,” Castro said.
“So ibig sabihin nito, kung may natanggap man silang pera, hindi ang Pangulo ang nakinabang dito. Hindi ang kasalukuyang administrasyon ang nagpasasa sa mga pondong diumanong tinanggap nila sa kanila ito itinuturong naibigay,” she also said.
Castro also reiterated that claims made by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV regarding alleged Chinese financial backing for the Duterte-aligned Tapang at Malasakit Alliance warrant a thorough investigation by state intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
“If it is true, it is dangerous to deal with a Manchurian candidate,” she also said.
Executive officials noted that investigative bodies, including the National Bureau of Investigation, the National Security Council, and the Anti-Money Laundering Council, may conduct independent inquiries into the matter, while calling on accusers to submit supporting evidence.