Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her deep gratitude to lawyer Ruth Castelo for accepting the role as the new spokesperson of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

"I thank Atty. Ruth Castelo because, at this time, many people are unwilling to help — well, first because they are anti-Duterte, and second, because others are afraid they might be targeted by the administration," Duterte said in an interview with SMNI News on Friday, speaking from The Hague.

"We are grateful to Atty. Ruth Castelo because she showed interest in helping the Office of the Vice President," she added.

Duterte explained that the decision to appoint a spokesperson was made by the OVP team, especially to better communicate the agency’s programs and accomplishments.

"The decision to appoint a spokesperson for the Office of the Vice President came from our colleagues in the office. The Vice President is one thing, but the Office of the Vice President is another," she said.

"So, there should be someone to speak about the work being done within the Office of the Vice President," she added.

Castelo, a former Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) undersecretary, was recently appointed as the new OVP spokesperson.

She clarified that she volunteered for the role and was not recruited, emphasizing that she is a spokesperson for the OVP, not for Vice President Sara Duterte personally.

She also noted that she would not act as an “attack dog” for the Vice President.