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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP Sara's declaration of presidential bid irrelevant for Marcos—Palace

VP Sara's declaration of presidential bid irrelevant for Marcos—Palace

Published Feb 20, 2026 02:04 pm
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro and Vice President Sara Duterte
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro and Vice President Sara Duterte
Malacañang asserted that the early declaration of Vice President Sara Duterte to run for president is "irrelevant" as President Marcos is focused on pressing national issues.
Palace Press Officer and Communication Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Palace does not view Duterte's declaration of candidacy as a "moment of truth" that would reveal who will remain allied with the Vice President and who will abandon the administration.
"Ang ganyan pong pananaw…hindi po ito ang pananaw ng Palasyo. Irrelevant po ang pagdedeklara ng Bise President na siya ay tatakbo bilang Pangulo (That kind of view… that is not the view of the Palace. The Vice President’s declaration that she will run for president is irrelevant)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Friday, Feb. 20.
She stressed that the President does not see any need to sow division among Filipinos.
"Bakit irrelevant? Hindi po iyan ang nakikita ng Pangulo sa ngayon dahil hindi po kinakailangan magwatak-watak ang Pilipino (Why is it irrelevant? Because that is not what the President sees as necessary at this time, since there is no need for Filipinos to be divided)," Castro added.

Untimely to take sides, endorse

The Palace official pointed out that Filipinos, especially leaders and public servants, should not be taking sides right now.
"Ang kailangan po ng Pangulo ay ang pagkakaisa upang maiangat ang ekonomiya, masolusyunan ang issue sa baha, maiangat ang employment rate ng ating mga Pilipino at ng ating mga kababayan (What the President needs is unity in order to lift the economy, resolve the flooding issue, increase the employment rate of our Filipinos and our countrymen)," Castro said.
"Iyan po ang dapat na inuuna na solusyunan ng ating gobyerno. At ang pagkakampihan, hindi po ito napapanahon. So, that’s why it’s irrelevant (Those are the matters that our government should prioritize and address. Taking sides is not timely. So, that’s why it’s irrelevant.
Castro further stressed that whatever the Vice President’s reason may be for her announcement, it does not matter at all at this time because it was not the President’s focus.
"Ang focus ng Pangulo [ay] magtrabaho, hindi para mangampanya at i-promote lamang ang sarili para sa susunod na eleksyon (The President’s focus is to work, not to campaign or simply promote oneself for the next election)," Castro said.
Castro also said that while Malacañang respects the opinion that President Marcos’ endorsement of former Vice President Leni Robredo could potentially defeat Duterte, the Palace deems it untimely.
"So, ang lumalabas sa opinyon ni Professor Antonio Contreras ay former VP Leni versus VP Sara? So, ang lumalabas ay aksiyon versus bakasyon? Nagtatrabaho versus hindi nagtatrabaho? Pro-Philippines versus not pro-any country (So, based on the opinion of Antonio Contreras, is it shaping up to be former VP Leni versus VP Sara? Is it action versus vacation? Working versus not working? Pro-Philippines versus not pro-any country)?" Castro said.
"Suhestiyon na igagalang, patawad pero hindi napapanahon (That is a suggestion we respect, sorry but it is not timely)," she added.
According to political scientist Antonio Contreras, if the elections were held today a Leni presidency endorsed by Marcos could defeat Duterte. 

Related Tags

President Marcos Vice President Sara Duterte Mayor Leni Robredo presidency Claire Castro 2028 elections
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