VP Sara, Palace spokesperson clash over professionalism

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has again criticized Palace press officer Claire Castro, saying she should be professional as she represents President Marcos and the Office of the President. "Claire Castro is a spokesperson of the President and the Office of the President. I don’t know whose spokesperson she is, but by the fact that you are a spokesperson and have the seal of the Office of the President there, you should be professional in what you say," Duterte said yesterday in Davao City. Duterte added that Castro does not have the same liberty to express personal opinions as she speaks on behalf of the President and his office. "When there is a seal behind you, in front of you, professionalism is required, that is what you should show and give to the people," she said. Duterte was reacting after Castro described as "baseless, pointless and useless" the Vice President’s claim that the International Criminal Court is a lapdog of President Marcos. Hitting back at Duterte’s statements about her yesterday, Castro said: "A true professional is defined by actions, not merely by words." The Palace official also criticized Duterte’s frequent travels abroad, stressing: "A professional leader stays in the country to lead, especially during times of calamity; they abide by the law and do not resort to violence." She added that when Duterte could not counter her points, she resorts to personal attacks and baseless smears. "That is unprofessional," said Castro. Meanwhile, Duterte defended her visit to Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and former representative Mike Defensor at the Quezon City Jail. "I don’t see anything wrong with visiting Arnie Teves, Pastor Quiboloy, as I said, (former) president Duterte, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Mike Defensor, because I know them and I think they are my friends," Duterte said. Amid the political exchanges, Duterte took the chance to show gratitude for the public’s support regardless of her standing in presidential surveys. In the OCTA Research survey conducted from July 4 to 11, 43 percent of respondents said they would support Duterte in a hypothetical matchup against Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, who received 34 percent. Duterte said she did not want to comment on surveys because she does not know how they were conducted or whether they were commissioned by someone. "I have always been grateful to the Filipino people because they have continued to trust and support me, my colleagues and the Office of the Vice President even though our organization has been having a hard time because of politics, attacks and efforts to make it difficult for us to do our job'" she said. — Helen Flores, Evelyn Macairan