MANILA — Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Friday turned Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s call for professionalism against her, saying the Vice President might not be facing an impeachment trial had she consistently acted professionally.
Castro defended her public remarks against Duterte-Carpio, insisting that she was merely performing her duty as spokesperson for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and the Office of the President.
“So wala siguro kinakaharap na impeachment trial ngayon kung professional ka,” Castro said in an interview with DZMM.
Her statement came after Duterte-Carpio urged Castro to be more professional and reminded government spokespersons to be mindful of their words because they represent the President and his office.
Castro said professionalism should be measured by how public officials perform their responsibilities, account for public funds and respond to issues based on facts.
“Hindi ako nagbabakasyon para iwan ang aking trabaho. Kung tama ang pag-account mo ng pera na in-entrust sa’yo. Professional ka kung uma-action ka, hindi ka puro bakasyon. Professional ka kung tuwing magsasalita ka ay hindi paninira sa ibang tao, sa paligid mo, sa bansa mo,” Castro said.
The Palace official maintained that her earlier characterization of Duterte-Carpio’s allegation involving President Marcos and the International Criminal Court (ICC) was prompted by the Vice President’s failure to present evidence.
“Saan ito nag ugat? Nung binanggit niya na ang ICC ay tuta. So doon tayo sumagot. Sabihin natin it’s baseless, nonsense, walang pinagagalingan, walang ebidensya. Yan ang issue doon,” she said.
Castro accused Duterte-Carpio of resorting to personal attacks instead of addressing the substance of the Palace’s response.
“So instead na sagutin niya ito dahil alam po niyang hindi niya masasagot dahil wala siyang ebidensya, kundi paninira lang. Ang ginawa niya ay personal, ad hominem,” Castro said.
She also pointed to Duterte-Carpio’s previous public remarks, saying the Vice President herself had used offensive language.
“Ang basihan, baseless ng kanyang paratang sa Pangulo. Pinaratangan niya ang Pangulo. Doon lang nagmula. Kaya sinabi natin baseless at nonsense. Pero anong sagot niya? I should be professional. Professional ako kasi tinugunan ko yung kanyang statement na alam kong walang basehan. I am doing my job. And that’s professionalism,” she said.
Castro again challenged Duterte-Carpio to answer the Palace’s argument directly instead of shifting the exchange toward personal criticism.
“Siya hindi niya tinugon. Wala siyang tugon sa aking sinabi. Pero paninira, ad hominem. That is not professional. She is not professional,” Castro said.
Duterte-Carpio issued the call for professionalism after Castro dismissed as “baseless” and “nonsense” her allegation that President Marcos was supporting the ICC./PN
