MANILA – Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro took a swipe at Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio for her recent assertion that the public has the right to express anger towards the government.
During a press briefing at Malacañang Palace on Thursday, Castro remarked that Duterte-Carpio should have made similar statements during her father’s presidency, that of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
She further noted that Duterte was labeled the “most corrupt” President in 2017, emphasizing that the country’s circumstances were significantly more dire at that time compared to the present.
“Noong panahon ba ng kaniyang ama nagsabi rin ba siya na maaari kayong magalit lalo na noong ang kaniyang ama ay nabansagan at kinilala bilang most corrupt noong 2017?” Castro said.
“Wala po tayong masasabi kung kaniyang i-express ang kaniyang damdamin, pero bakit naman ngayon lang? Mas marami din naman ang nangyari noong panahon ng kaniyang ama,” she added.
In an interview with a local radio in Cebu on Wednesday, Duterte-Carpio said it is the right of the people to show their anger since they have a constitutional protection of the freedom of speech and freedom of expression.
“Katungod man na sa mga tawo nga ipakita ang ilang kasuko, duna man tay constitutional protection sa freedom of speech and freedom of expression,” Duterte-Carpio said.
Castro indicated that the Palace does not currently view Duterte-Carpio’s comments as an act of destabilization; however, she expressed that the Vice President appears to be fostering anger towards the government.
“Wala tayong pormal na impormasyon na may destabilization but mapapansin po natin sa kanilang mga statement kapag sila ay nagra-rally, nag-uudyok sila ng galit,” Castro said.
The Palace official further said that remarks of anger or hatred against the government should not come from the country’s second highest official.
“’Nakakalungkot po na mula sa pangalawang pinakamataas na lider ng bansa ay mukha pang nag-e-encourage siya sa mga tao na magalit sa gobyerno,” Castro said.
“Noong nalaman po ito ng Pangulo ay wala po siyang naging reaksyon dito dahil hindi nga po ito dapat nanggagaling sa pangalawang pinakamataas na lider ng bansa,” she added.
Castro said it would be better if Duterte-Carpio will encourage the public to cooperate with the government instead of having ill feelings towards the administration.
“Mas maganda po sana kung siya ay mag-e-encourage sa mga tao na makipagtulungan instead of having this feeling of hatred against the government,” said Castro. “Mas maganda po na sabay-sabay tayo umangat kaysa sa may ibang tao na gusto magpabagsak ng gobyerno.”/PN
