Malacañang fired back at Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim that the Philippines is heading toward the dumpster, questioning her absence from the country while making such statements.

"Isn’t she the one missing from the Philippines right now?" Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro remarked during a press briefing on Tuesday.

Castro dismissed Duterte’s bleak outlook on the country’s future, asserting that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues to deliver projects and programs that benefit Filipinos.

“Perhaps she says we’re on the road to perdition because she isn’t seeing the work being done — the projects, programs, and assistance being provided to the people. Maybe it’s because she doesn’t watch our daily press briefings or the programs aired on PTV-4 and RTVM,” Castro said.

The Palace official further criticized Duterte’s foreign trip, implying that her priority seems to be serving her detained father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, rather than the Filipino people.

“We wouldn’t be heading toward the dumpster if our future leaders weren’t like VP Sara, who prioritizes going abroad and serving just one person — though he is her father — over the many Filipinos relying on her as Vice President,” Castro said.

When asked if this is the right time for the Vice President to return to the country, Castro was blunt:

“It is her obligation to be Vice President. The President is here in the country, working every day. But where is she?”

Meanwhile, on reports that former Senator Gringo Honasan is planning to file a petition before the International Criminal Court (ICC) to seek Duterte’s return to the Philippines due to concerns over his well-being, Malacañang made it clear it will not interfere.

“He has the right to do what he wants. But perhaps he should coordinate with Duterte’s legal team first — otherwise, he might just be ignored by the ICC,” Castro said.

She reiterated that the government has no involvement in the ICC’s legal proceedings, emphasizing that it is not Malacañang’s responsibility to intervene in the case.