Castro calls Paolo Duterte ‘living in darkness, fake news’
MANILA, Philippines — Palace press officer Claire Castro on Monday described Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte as someone “living in darkness and fake news” after he criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and questioned the administration’s accomplishments.
During a press briefing, Castro responded to Duterte’s remarks, in which he challenged Marcos to enumerate the accomplishments of his administration that have had a tangible impact on the public as his fifth State of the Nation Address approaches.
READ: Marcos blames ‘obstructionists’ for turning up ‘political heat’
According to the lawmaker, Marcos’ success should not be measured by the standing ovation he receives at the Batasang Pambansa but by the Filipino people who, he claimed, are still waiting for the fulfillment of the promises made to them.
In response, Castro cited several programs and initiatives under the Marcos administration, including the implementation of zero-balance billing and the operation of the Chinese-made Dalian trains, among others.
“It would be better if he watched press briefings and the news, whether from mainstream or state-owned media. It appears that he is not updated, does not read, and does not watch the news. It’s rather pitiful,” she said.
“Living in darkness. Living on fake news. Living in his own imagination,” the Palace official added.
READ: Marcos ‘watched with horror’ what Senate has become
Echoing Marcos’ advice to Sen. Imee Marcos last week, Castro also urged Duterte to “fire” his ghostwriter or public relations officers over his recent statements against the president.
“Does he write his own messages? Does he have a ghostwriter or a public relations person? Because if this is merely the work of a ghostwriter, I will echo what the president said: perhaps he should consider dismissing his ghostwriters or PR people. Based on what has been written and released, Congressman Pulong appears to be ill-advised. Or perhaps he is simply someone who likes to create intrigue,” she said.
Castro likewise criticized Duterte for claiming that Marcos would not have won the 2022 presidential election without Vice President Sara Duterte.
“First of all, they were part of the UniTeam. You cannot say that it was solely because of President Marcos Jr. or solely because of the vice president. It was UniTeam, which means they were united,” she said.
She also said, “So why is the mandate being attributed only to the president? Well, he is the president. Second, who is working and who is on vacation? Who continues to look after our fellow Filipinos, and who is frequently out of the country?” /das /atm
