The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Malacañang on Thursday accused Vice President Sara Duterte of prioritizing personal interests during her stint as Department of Education (DepEd) secretary, saying her actions often ran counter to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directives.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Duterte had no basis to claim that the President’s leadership was unclear, stressing that her decisions in office reflected self-serving motives rather than alignment with national goals.
“She cannot be aware of the President’s directives if she does not know how to listen and instead pursues strategies for personal interests,” Castro said in a statement.
Castro cited alleged irregularities under Duterte’s watch, including the so-called “ghost students” scheme and the delivery of spoiled food under the school feeding program.
“It was not the President’s directive for DepEd, under the Vice President, to deliver rotten or moldy meals to students in the feeding program,” she added.
The Palace official’s remarks came after Duterte criticized the Marcos administration during a press briefing, accusing it of having unclear leadership and premature conclusions about ongoing investigations into flood control anomalies.
In response, Castro said the President’s confidence stems from his integrity.
“A person becomes confident when he knows his actions are for the nation and not for personal gain, unlike others. That is our President—courageous and upright,” Castro said.