Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro criticized the office of Vice President Sara Duterte after it was flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) for “deficiencies in documentation” on the distributed welfare goods worth P110.1 million in 2024.

The COA report, Castro argued, contradicts the recent statement of Duterte, saying that her office will continue to show that it is important to have a plan, effective project implementation, and effort against corruption.

"Sa kanyang huling statement tungkol sa maayos na pagpaplano daw ng OVP (Office of the Vice President) sa kanilang pondo at mga proyekto ay pinasinungalingan ng COA nang pansinin nito ang hindi pagsunod ng OVP sa batas at sa mga panuntunan at guidelines (Her latest statement claiming that the OVP had proper planning for its funds and projects was contradicted by the COA, which pointed out the OVP’s failure to follow the law, rules, and guidelines)," Castro said in a statement on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

"Nakita ng COA ang kakulangan ng OVP financial statement. Kulang ang mga dokumento, situation report, hindi makilalang beneficiaries at kung saan at kanino talaga napunta ang pondo nila (The COA found deficiencies in the OVP’s financial statement. Missing documents, situation reports, unverified beneficiaries, and a lack of clarity on where and to whom their funds actually went)," Castro stressed.

In its 2024 Annual Audit Report (AAR) released on Dec. 1, the COA said: “A review of the transactions affecting the Welfare Goods Expenses account amounting to P110,119,991.44 for CY (calendar year) 2024 revealed prevalence of deficiencies in the documentation in the distribution of welfare goods."

It said that one of the deficiencies is the failure of the OVP to provide a verified and certified Master List of Beneficiaries, Situation Report (SitRep), and Mission Order which should have been prepared before the start of the distribution of welfare goods amounting to P61,875,816.15.

The Palace official also chided the Vice President for saying that the former's statements during her press briefings "bring embarrassment" to the country.

Duterte said they should no longer pay attention to whatever Castro is saying as she "does not say anything coherent."

"'Yan na nga sinasabi ko lagi na huwag na natin i-carry kung ano 'yong sinasabi niya kasi unang-una, wala naman siyang maayos na sinasabi. Nakakabobo ng tao yung kanyang sinasabi (That’s what I always say, let’s not carry or pay attention to whatever she says because, first of all, she does not say anything coherent. What she says only makes people dumb)," Duterte said in an interview while at the Hague.

"At saka pangalawa, nagdadala 'yon ng kahihiyan lalong lalo na kapag nagsasalita siya na nandoon yung seal ng Office of the President kasi nakikita 'yon ng buong mundo. Nagdudulot 'yon ng kahihiyan bilang mga Pilipino. Kaya ang mas maganda diyan huwag pansinin para hindi umabot yung balita (And second, it brings embarrassment, especially when she speaks with the seal of the Office of the President, because the whole world sees it. It brings shame to us as Filipinos. So it’s better not to pay attention so the news does notspread," Duterte added.

Castro hit back, saying should the people listen to misinformation instead?

The Palace official pointed out that the Vice President does not want the public to listen to Malacañang "because people are becoming aware of the truth" about President Marcos' programs.

"Ayaw ng bise presidente na makinig ang taumbayan sa mga mensahe ng Palasyo dahil sa namumulat sila sa katotohan at nalalaman nila ang programa ng Pangulo para sa bayan (The Vice President does not want the public to listen to the messages from the Palace because people are becoming aware of the truth and learning about the President’s programs for the nation)," Castro said.

"Saan dapat makinig ang tao? Sa mga misinformation na pinapakalat niya at ng mga kaalyado nila (Where should the people listen instead? To the misinformation that she and her allies are spreading)?" Castro hit back.

These exchanges from Duterte and Castro followed the remarks of the latter during her press briefing on Tuesday, Dec. 2, where she said that Duterte's plan to fight against greed of certain high-ranking officials in the government should start in her office.

""Okay. Siguro unahin po muna natin sa OVP. Iyon lang po (Okay. Maybe we should start with the OVP first. That’s all)," Castro briefly said when sought for reaction.