On Sara’s Cabinet swipe: 'Look who’s talking!' — Castro

Palace press officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro again lashed out at Vice President Sara Duterte, responding to her recent remarks that governance in the country is “not in order.”

In a weekend interview, Duterte said government operations appear disorganized and claimed that not all Cabinet secretaries are competent and are not being properly guided by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Nakikita ninyo na parang kalat iyong governance ngayon kasi ganoon din iyong ibang departments, buti sana kung magaling lahat ng secretaries. Walang utos, walang nag-uutos sa iyo na presidente at walang nagbabantay sa iyo na presidente. So iyon ang na-disappoint ako. Akala ko mabilis, tuluy-tuloy ang trabaho tapos sasabihin mo sa tao, ito nagawa natin, ito gagawin natin sunod. Wala, walang ganoon na nangyari,” Duterte said.

Asked for her reaction, Castro replied sarcastically: “Let us look at who’s talking.”

“Mukhang tumama naman po siya dahil siya bilang secretary ng DepEd naitalaga siya ng Pangulo, pinagtiwalaan siya ng Pangulo pero sa bandang huli aamin pala ang Bise Presidente na siya ay walang kalam-alam sa pagiging DepEd Secretary,” Castro said.

Castro also acknowledged that not all Cabinet secretaries are necessarily excellent, saying some are appointed based on the President’s trust and confidence.

“So, totoo po iyan hindi po lahat ng secretary na naitalaga dahil sa tiwala ng Pangulo, sa paniniwala sa kanila ay hindi pala talaga magaling,” she stressed.

She then cited the controversies that hounded Duterte during her stint as Education secretary.

“Doon pa lamang po sa mga ghost students, ghost vouchers, ghost food packs, ghost laptops, ghost school materials – lahat ng multong ito ng Bise Presidente noong siya ay DepEd Secretary huwag niyang ipahid kay Pangulo. At ang mga kalat na ito ay ngayon winawalis at nililinis ni Secretary Sonny Angara ng DepEd,” she maintained.