Manila: Malaca±ang on Thursday dismissed Vice President Sara Duterte's fresh criticisms of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., stressing that she appeared unaware of the administration's anti-corruption initiatives due to her frequent foreign travels.

According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the public is already aware of the steps the President has taken to combat corruption, particularly in relation to anomalous flood control projects. Castro remarked, "Si Pangulo ang nagpasimula ng pag-iimbestiga rito. Hindi nakakapagtaka na hindi alam ng Bise Presidente ito dahil madalas siyang wala sa Pilipinas (The President himself initiated the probe. It is not surprising that the Vice President is unaware of this because she is often out of the country)."

The Palace official was addressing Duterte's remarks questioning the administration's handling of alleged corruption and for supposedly allowing Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to evade accountability. Co has been implicated in the flood control corruption scandal.

Castro emphasized that President Marcos ordered the formation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to specifically investigate alleged irregularities in flood control projects worth billions of pesos. The commission's mandate includes probing possible budget manipulation, illegal allocations, and the alleged acquisition of luxury assets abroad by some lawmakers.

Castro questioned, "Ano ba ang pagkakaiba ng pagbyahe ni Rep. Zaldy at ang Bise Presidente? (What is the difference between the travel of Rep. Zaldy and the Vice President?)," pointing out that lawmakers' trips fall under the jurisdiction of the Speaker of the House or Senate President, not the President, in line with the separation of powers. She further highlighted that Duterte herself has traveled abroad several times since taking office. Duterte has faced criticism for her frequent foreign trips, which have drawn scrutiny from both administration and opposition lawmakers.