Manila: Malaca±ang on Friday described as 'desperate' Vice President Sara Z. Duterte's allegations that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. controls the Senate, the courts, and the police. In a video message, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro dismissed Duterte's allegations as baseless, saying these were merely intended to undermine the integrity of government authorities by making it appear that the Vice President is 'oppressed and persecuted.'

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro stated, 'Ang paninirang ito ay walang basehan, kundi galing lang sa madumi at maitim na isipan ni Bise Presidente (These accusations have no basis. They come only from the dirty and dark thoughts of Vice President) Sara Duterte.' She further accused Duterte of attempting to destroy others due to her own shortcomings, labeling it as a desperate move to damage the credibility of the authorities and portray herself as a victim.

Duterte had earlier accused Marcos of controlling senators, prosecutors, judges, and the police amid impeachment proceedings and the issuance of an arrest warrant related to her previous 'assassination' remark against the President. Castro emphasized that the complaints against Duterte are not based on fabricated evidence, asserting that the questioned acts stem from the Vice President's own agenda.

'Lahat ng mga inirereklamong ginawa niya, 'yun ay voluntaryo sa kanya at iyon ay ayon sa sarili niyang agenda (All the acts being complained about were voluntary on her part and were done according to her own agenda),' Castro said. She also responded to Duterte's alleged readiness to replace Marcos, suggesting that the Vice President seemed more inclined to become a 'troublemaker.'

Castro criticized Duterte for her alleged inaction on pressing issues facing the country, including flooding and rising prices of basic commodities. She remarked, 'Handa na raw siyang maging Pangulo o handa na siyang maging pang-gulo?' questioning Duterte's motivations.

Castro concluded that Duterte's criticisms against Marcos appeared to be an attempt to divert attention from the issues being raised against her. She urged Duterte to focus on addressing the concerns of Filipinos instead of attacking government institutions. 'Maganda iyang ginagawa ng Bise Presidente sa pag-amin na wala siyang maitutulong sa problema ng bayan (It is good that the Vice President is admitting that she has done nothing to help address the country's problems),' Castro added, noting Duterte's lack of action on the flooding in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and the rising cost of goods.