Castro tells Sara Duterte: Spread love, not fake news, not immorality

MANILA, Philippines — Palace Press Officer Claire Castro sent an early Valentine’s Day message for Vice President Sara Duterte: “Spread love, not fake news, not immorality. Don’t be a Chucky.”

During a briefing on Friday, Castro was asked to comment on Duterte’s “malicious” remark involving her and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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In a One News exclusive interview in Davao City on Thursday, Duterte was asked for her Valentine’s Day message to Castro and Marcos. The vice president responded by wishing that the two would end up together.

Castro said she did not like the tone of Duterte’s statement, describing it as mean-spirited and immoral.

“We saw that—how she laughed, which, from my perspective, came across as having a hint of malice. So is this the kind of leader, like Vice President Sara Duterte, whom we should admire and place on a pedestal? Every word that comes from her is nothing but attacks, nothing but insinuations, and nothing but immorality,” Castro said in Filipino.

Castro also noted that she and Marcos are committed to their respective families.

“So, for someone like the Vice President to speak in this manner, it is extremely degrading—especially coming from a woman,” Castro said.

Castro further urged Duterte’s camp to help train the vice president in Communications 101, saying she should at least sound like a statesman.

“And my message — my Valentine’s message to her — is this: VP Sara, spread love, not fake news, not immorality. Don’t be a Chucky,” she said.

The “Chucky” remark stemmed from a livestream on Castro’s personal YouTube channel on December 25.

Castro recalled Duterte’s alleged sudden change in facial expression upon hearing Marcos’ name when she was asked to give a Christmas message for her former UniTeam running mate. She said the expression reminded her of a certain character, after which she showed Google images of Chucky. /mr