Malacañang slammed Vice President Sara Duterte’s supposed use of “diversionary tactics” to steer public attention away from controversial issues linked to her office.

In a press conference, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Duterte should not hide behind narratives that favor her.

Speaking with Russian media, Duterte earlier claimed that recent actions by the administration are motivated by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s alleged desire to remain in power.

"It's all about the refusal or the intent of President Marcos. It is the intent of President Marcos not to step down. He wants to perpetuate himself or his family in power. It is clear from the moves of his administration against political opponents," she said. 

Duterte also claimed the government is threatened by her rising popularity.

"I am the frontrunner in the presidential race in 2028," she said.

In response, Castro criticized the Vice President for focusing on her 2028 presidential bid while ignoring the controversies surrounding her office.

"Siguro iyan po ang nais niyang maging naratibo na ipakita sa taumbayan pero nawawala po iyong issue patungkol sa kaniyang accountability tungkol sa confidential funds at iba’t iba pang mga complaints na napapaloob sa articles of impeachment (Maybe that's the narrative she wants to present to the public, but the issue of her accountability regarding the confidential funds and the various other complaints included in the articles of impeachment is being left out)," she said.

"Siguro po, nais din po nating malaman ang katotohanan at huwag lamang pong magtago sa naratibo na siya iyong frontrunner para sa 2028 presidential election (Perhaps we also want to know the truth and not just hide behind the narrative that she is the frontrunner for the 2028 presidential election)," she added.

Castro warned that any attempt to shift the public’s focus away from these issues appears to be a calculated distraction.

"Huwag lamang pong magtago sa naratibo na siya iyong frontrunner para sa 2028 presidential election (Do not just hide behind the narrative that you are the frontrunner for the 2028 presidential election)," Castro said, urging Duterte to take transparency and full accountability.

"Kapag ikaw ay taong-gobyerno at public servant ka, obligasyon mo na ipakita lahat at sagutin ang mga isyu na kakapalooban o na kakasangkutan mo (If you are a public servant, it is your obligation to address all the issues that you are dragged into)," she pressed on.