Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Malacañang Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro on Wednesday hit Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte for seemingly disregarding the intention behind President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statement that he is “open” to reconciliation with the Dutertes.

This came after the younger Duterte called the President a liar and dismissed the reconciliation effort as a mere press release, along with other tirades.

Castro said Duterte should be ignored for his remarks against the President, as they do not expect any kind words from him.

“Who’s the real liar? He could have listened very well to the words coming from the President. The question from Anthony Taberna is whether he is open to reconciliation. If I am not mistaken, that’s the word, open, not offer, there’s a big difference,” Castro said.

She emphasized that as the father of the nation, the President naturally responded to the question of reconciliation with openness, a gesture aimed at national unity.

“That shows who is open for reconciliation and who is not. The President even questioned why the center of attention are the Dutertes,” she said.

Castro reiterated that while it’s expected for some to question the President’s policies, Marcos Jr. is focused on doing his job and serving the people.

“No one is lying here. It seems Mayor Baste did not understand the President’s hints regarding reconciliation. Maybe he’s surrounded by fake news peddlers. I pity him,” she said in Filipino.

Castro also countered the mayor’s claims that the President is arrogant and weak.

She added that it is not for the President to boast about the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate’s strong showing in the recent senatorial elections.

“It was the electorate’s decision, and the President respects that. Five winning senators is not a bad number. The President simply wanted to grow the numbers, but the people have spoken. So where’s the boastfulness in that?” Castro said.

Five candidates from the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP) won Senate seats: Bong Go (1st), Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa (3rd), Rodante Marcoleta (6th), Camille Villar (10th), and Imee Marcos (12th).

Meanwhile, five from the Alyansa slate also entered the Magic 12: Erwin Tulfo (4th), Ping Lacson (7th), Tito Sotto (8th), Pia Cayetano (9th), and Lito Lapid (11th).

Castro also clarified that the President will not interfere in the ongoing Senate debates over the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, Mayor Baste’s elder sister.

“The President said the matter is already in the hands of the senators and he will not meddle in the debate regarding the impeachment,” Castro said.