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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Castro hits VP Sara over 'fake news,' intrigue remarks on ICC, Cha-cha

Castro hits VP Sara over 'fake news,' intrigue remarks on ICC, Cha-cha

Published May 14, 2026 07:09 pm

At A Glance

  • Palace Press Officer Claire Castro accused Vice President Sara Duterte of spreading "intriga at fake news."
  • Duterte earlier warned that President Marcos may pursue Charter change to stay in power.
  • Castro said the country needs public servants focused on governance, not baseless accusations.
Vice President Sara Duterte and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro (Manila Bulletin / RTVM)
Vice President Sara Duterte and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro (Manila Bulletin / RTVM)

Malacañang has hit back at Vice President Sara Duterte over her remarks linking the International Criminal Court (ICC) cases against Duterte allies and possible Charter Change efforts to an alleged plan by President Marcos to remain in power.

In a message to reporters on Thursday, May 14, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said Duterte’s statements were baseless and only intended to create intrigue.

“Ang kailangan natin ay isang public servant na nagseserbisyo sa bayan at taumbayan at hindi yung ang alam lang ay gumawa ng intriga at fake news (What we need is a public servant who serves the country and the people, not someone who only knows how to create intrigue and fake news),” she said.

“Mas nakakahiya sa ngayon ang magkomento pa sa mga walang basehan at walang sustansyang pahayag ni VP Sara Duterte (It is even more embarrassing now to continue making comments based on Vice President Sara Duterte’s baseless and unsubstantiated statements),” she added.

The Vice President earlier claimed that former president Rodrigo Duterte, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and others allegedly included in complaints before the ICC would be targeted next.

She also warned about possible Charter change efforts after citing Marcos’ recent interview with Bloomberg.

“Pag pinag-usapan natin ang charter change, ibig sabihin ‘yan, hindi na yan bababa sa pwesto si BBM (If we start talking about Charter change, that means BBM will no longer step down from office),” Duterte said.

“At ’yan din ang sinabi ni President Duterte kanina. Sabi niya, Pilipinas mag-ingat kayo kasi hindi na yan aalis sa pwesto niya (And that is also what former president Duterte said earlier. He said, Philippines, be careful because he will no longer leave his position),” she added.

The exchange came amid renewed attention on the ICC investigation into the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign after the tribunal confirmed the authenticity of an arrest warrant issued against dela Rosa for alleged crimes against humanity.

The ICC accused dela Rosa of involvement in at least 32 killings allegedly linked to the drug war while he was the Philippine National Police chief.

Malacañang has repeatedly denied allegations that the Marcos administration is orchestrating ICC-related developments against Duterte allies.

Related Tags

Claire Castro Sara Duterte Vice President Sara Duterte ICC Charter change fake news
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