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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace hits back at Rep. Duterte for criticizing AICS budget

Palace hits back at Rep. Duterte for criticizing AICS budget

Published Dec 18, 2025 03:43 pm
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro | Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro | Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte
Malacañang has clapped back at Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte after claiming that the budget for Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICS) is being used as a political weapon by the allies of President Marcos.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro hit back at Duterte saying, he will truly not understand what is happening if he spends his time on "vacations and world tours."
Castro pointed out that legislators must carry out their obligation to craft good laws for the nation.
"Para umunlad ang bansa, magtrabaho tayong lahat.  Ang mga mambabatas ay obligadong gumawa ng magagandang batas para sa bayan at mamamayan (For the country to progress, we must all work together. Legislators are obligated to create good laws for the nation and its people)," Castro said in a statement.
"Kapag puro bakasyon at world tour ang  gagawin ng isang public servant, wala talaga siyang maiintindihan at wala siyang gagawin kundi iwasan ang isyu ng korapsyon na kinakaharap niya (If a public servant spends all their time on vacations and world tours, they will truly understand nothing and will do nothing except avoid the issue of corruption they are facing)," Castro added.
Duterte has recently requested a travel clearance for 17 foreign destinations. However, he revised it Wednesday, reducing the supposed 17-country tour to only two.
Duterte was criticizing the approved P63.9-billion budget for AICS program for 2026, a P37-billion increase from the original proposal of P26.9 billion under the National Expenditure Program.
The congressman said flood control projects were not given any budget, and he alleged that the government transferred the funds to AICS to use as a "political weapon for the Palace's allies."

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Claire Castro Paolo Duterte AICS 2026 national budget
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