LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Malacañang questioned Vice President Sara Duterte’s capability to lead the country, saying it is “alarming” that she herself admitted not knowing how to use a computer beyond video calls.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro made the remark after Duterte criticized the administration anew, including President Marcos’ handling of unemployment and the economy.

In an interview on the sidelines of the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit here, Castro wondered how the Vice President would handle the country’s affairs if she supposedly lacked the skills.

“So yun ang nakakaalarma dahil nais niyang maging Pangulo, pero paano siya magkakaroon ng tamang pagpapasiya (That’s what is alarming because she wants to become President, but how can she make proper decisions)?” Castro said.

“Ni paggamit ng computer ay hindi niya alam (She doesn’t even know how to use a computer),” she added.

Castro said Duterte herself admitted that she only uses a laptop for Zoom meetings.

“So mukhang hindi siya marunong mag-research kung ano ang nangyayari sa kasalukuyan (So it seems she does not know how to research what is currently happening),” she said.

Castro also recalled Duterte’s stint as Department of Education (DepEd) secretary, saying the Vice President herself admitted she could not personally review the MATATAG curriculum.

“So paano mamamahala ang isang kagaya ng Bise Presidente na magpupukpok lang ng tao nang hindi niya nare-review ang ginagawa ng mga taong inuutusan niya (So how can someone like the Vice President govern if she only scolds people without reviewing the work of those she orders around)?” she said.

Castro also dismissed Duterte’s remark that her statements should no longer be given attention because they supposedly thrive on publicity.

“Wala tayong papansin na ugali; sumasagot lamang tayo sa questions na nanggagaling din sa media (We are not attention-seeking. We are only answering questions coming from the media),” she said.

“Katulad niyan, pinansin niya ako—kailangan kong sagutin, hindi ba (Like that, she mentioned me, so I have to respond, right)?” she added.

The Palace official then took a swipe at Duterte, saying she appeared “behind” on current events and government programs.

“Siguro kaya ganyan siya magsalita dahil behind siya masyado (Maybe she talks that way because she is too behind),” Castro said.

“The brain operates on a use it or lose it principle,” she added.

Castro also rejected Duterte’s criticism that President Marcos was supposedly not working while the country’s debt continued to rise.

“Again, hindi niya alam ang nangyayari, kung ano ang tinatrabaho ng Pangulo (Again, she does not know what is happening or what the President is working on),” she said.

She cited Marcos’ recent inspection of areas affected by Mayon Volcano’s unrest in Albay, as well as his activities under the Bawat Barangay at Bawat Bayan Makikinabang program, before flying to Cebu for the ASEAN Summit.

“Samantalang ang Bise Presidente nandoon po sa ibang bansa at nagbabakasyon (Meanwhile, the Vice President is abroad on vacation),” she said.

“So, wala po siyang naitutulong sa ASEAN, at wala po siyang nagiging trabaho (So she is not contributing anything to ASEAN, and she is not doing any work),” she added.

Castro also responded to the Vice President’s claim that the government supposedly no longer had funds.

“Sige hingin niyo muna yung ebidensya sa kanya at tsaka ko sasagutin pag may ebidensya na siya (Ask her first for evidence, and I will answer once she has evidence),” she said.

“Puro misinformation at disinformation (It’s all misinformation and disinformation),” she added.

The Palace official likewise blamed the country’s ballooning debt on the previous Duterte administration, particularly alleged irregularities tied to the Pharmally controversy and supposed “ghost projects” under the Build, Build, Build program.

“Lumaki ang utang dahil namana po ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang napakalaking utang na nakuha ni dating pangulong Duterte (The debt increased because President Marcos inherited a huge debt from former President Duterte),” she said.