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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Papansin': VP Sara calls out Castro, says her remarks could embarrass the Philippines

'Papansin': VP Sara calls out Castro, says her remarks could embarrass the Philippines

Duterte and the Palace Press Officer have been trading barbs amid rising political tensions

Published May 8, 2026 04:52 pm

At A Glance

  • VP Sara Duterte accused PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro of being "papansin" or attention-seeking
  • The Vice President said statements from Palace officials could embarrass the Philippines internationally
  • The remarks came amid discussions on Duterte's possible 2028 presidential run and ongoing political tensions with the Marcos administration
Vice President Sara Duterte (left) criticizes Palace Press Officer Claire Castro (right), saying remarks by Malacañang officials could damage the Philippines’ international image. (Manila Bulletin / RTVM / file)
Vice President Sara Duterte (left) criticizes Palace Press Officer Claire Castro (right), saying remarks by Malacañang officials could damage the Philippines’ international image. (Manila Bulletin / RTVM / file)
Vice President Sara Duterte criticized Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro, saying statements from Malacañang representatives could embarrass the country.
During an interview released by the Office of the Vice President on Friday, May 8, Duterte was asked about Castro’s earlier comments on her reaction to questions about a possible 2028 presidential run.
Duterte dismissed Castro’s statements and urged supporters not to pay attention to them.
“Lagi ko sinasabi, na kapag si Claire Castro ang nagsasalita, huwag niyong pansinin o bigyan ng halaga kasi pag pinapansin n’yo, nafi-feed ‘yung kanyang papansin na ugali (I always say that whenever Claire Castro speaks, don’t pay attention or give importance because when you pay attention, you feed her attention-seeking behavior),” Duterte said in an interview on May 7.
Duterte also accused Castro of seeking attention and warned that such behavior could negatively affect the country’s image.
“Ang problema kasi dyan sa kanyang papansin na ugali (Castro), dadala siya ng kahihiyan sa ating bansa kasi kapag nagsasalita siya, nandyan ‘yung seal ng Office of the President (The problem with that attention-seeking behavior is that she brings shame to our country because when she speaks, the seal of the Office of the President is there),” she added.
The Vice President said that foreign audiences watching Palace briefings may form negative impressions of the Philippines due to official statements.
“Ibig sabihin, ‘yung buong mundo na nanunuod at nakikinig para bang mag-iisip sila na parang ‘kawawa naman itong Pilipinas’ kasi ganito ‘yung tagapagsalita’ (It means that the whole world watching and listening might think, ‘Poor Philippines’ because this is the kind of spokesperson we have),” she added.
The exchange stemmed from discussions about Duterte’s possible 2028 presidential bid amid ongoing impeachment proceedings.
Duterte is currently in the Netherlands, while former President Rodrigo Duterte faces proceedings before the International Criminal Court.
Political tensions between Duterte allies and the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have escalated in recent months amid continuing public criticism and political disputes.

Related Tags

Sara Duterte Claire Castro Sara Duterte latest news Malacañang PCO
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