MANILA, Philippines — Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Friday rejected Vice President Sara Duterte’s statement that she has no intention of taking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s position, citing Duterte’s previous remarks calling for the president’s removal from office.
In a statement, Castro referred to a speech Duterte delivered in the Netherlands in July 2025, in which the vice president said that she and her supporters wanted Marcos removed from office.
Castro said Duterte could not deny making those remarks and accused her of presenting a different position in her recent comments.
The Palace official also alleged that some of Duterte’s allies were involved in efforts to destabilize the administration and said the vice president should discourage such actions if she does not seek the presidency.
Castro’s remarks came a day after Duterte told reporters in Davao City that she had no desire to take over Marcos’ position.
During an ambush interview on Independence Day, Duterte said she would rather allow Filipinos to see “until the very end” how the president governs than seek to replace him.
Duterte made the statement when asked about claims that retired military officers and other groups had encouraged her to lead a People Power movement against the Marcos administration.
Castro also criticized Duterte for describing Marcos as “walang hiya,” or shameless, and questioned the vice president’s conduct and public statements.
The Palace official further argued that the description did not apply to the president and said Duterte’s remarks reflected her own behavior and that of her family.
The exchange marks the latest public dispute between the Marcos administration and Duterte, whose political alliance helped secure their election victory in 2022 but has since fractured.