Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro has responded to Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent statement that she will not be endorsing any senatorial candidates in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.

“Kung hindi po siya nagendorso, bakit mayroon po tayong napapanood na campaign ads na kasama po niya at pinagmamalaki niya ang naging trabaho o naging performance kung mayroon man, ni Senator Bato,” Castro questioned.

She also addressed Duterte’s claim that she was scammed by UniTeam, suggesting that the situation might be the other way around.

“Hindi rin naman po siguro inakala ng miyembro ng uniteam, na mabilis magagastos ni VP Sara yung 125 million pesos na confidential funds in just 11 days,” she added.

Speaking before overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at the “Pasasalamat kay PRRD with OFWs” event at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, Vice President Sara Duterte urged voters to be critical in choosing the right leaders. She also reiterated her decision not to endorse any candidates in the upcoming elections.

"Nabudol ako (I was scammed)," Duterte said.

In 2024, Vice President Sara Duterte announced in a press conference at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) satellite office in Bacolod City that she had decided not to endorse any local or national candidates.

"My experience in the last election in 2022 was not good," Duterte stated, explaining her decision.