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MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro yesterday hit back at Vice President Sara Duterte, saying it is possible that the Philippines would no longer be a country by 2028 if Filipinos elect a Manchurian candidate.
In a media interview, Duterte said that by 2028, the Philippines could be “drowning” in multiple crises.
“She said that there will probably be no country or Philippines in 2028. If her prediction comes true, that will probably happen if the leader elected in 2028 is a Manchurian candidate, a puppet of a country where our resources, our rights can be given away to other countries,” Castro said at a briefing.
She also recalled Duterte’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte’s previous statement, that the Philippines could become a province of another country.
In 2018, the former president jokingly suggested that China should make the Philippines a province.
“If we vote for a Manchurian candidate, we might become a province of a country. Hopefully, not,” Castro added.
She also called Duterte an “emotional vulture,” saying the Vice President is “blind” to the Marcos administration’s efforts.
“It’s unfortunate because that’s trademark Duterte, showing the characteristics of an emotional vulture – a vulture pretending to be concerned about the state of the country when, in fact, she admitted that she doesn’t want to help the President in his projects for the country. Drama, but no action,” Castro said.
To the Vice President’s remarks where she doubted the conduct of the presidential elections in 2028, Castro said as a lawyer herself, Duterte knows what is stated in the law.
“I hope she expresses her views (as a lawyer) not only to slander, to sow intrigue,” she said.
Castro was also asked to comment on the Vice President’s Valentine’s Day message for her.
Duterte reportedly said she hopes the Palace press officer and the President would end up together.
“So, is this the type of leader like VP Sara that we should admire and put on a pedestal? Whatever words that come out from her mouth are pure insult, pure insinuation, pure immorality,” Castro said.
She likewise advised Duterte’s communications team to teach her Comms 101 so she could have “even a little” statesmanship.
Asked for her Valentine’s Day message to the Vice President, Castro said, “Spread love, not fake news, not immorality. Don’t be a Chucky.”
Chucky is a killer doll from the 1988 movie, “Child’s Play.”
VP: Fix relations with all neighbors
The Vice President yesterday said the Philippines should “fix its relationships with all its neighbors” amid the heated exchanges between some senators and Chinese embassy officials.
“All I have to say is that we should fix our relationship with all our neighbors, and all other countries around the world,” Duterte said.
The Senate approved a resolution condemning Chinese embassy officials’ undiplomatic remarks against Philippine officials who were speaking out on West Philippine Sea issues and defending the country’s sovereignty.
The Chinese embassy called the Senate resolution a political stunt.
“As Vice President, my position on matters of diplomacy and foreign affairs should be within the Office of the President and the Department of Foreign Affairs,” Duterte added.
In her video message at a Lunar New Year reception on Tuesday, Duterte said China and the Philippines should strengthen their bond.
“As we embark on this new cycle, let us seize the opportunity to strengthen our bonds, promote understanding and work together,” Duterte said.
At the same event, Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan urged the Philippines to talk with China in order to find ways to manage differences, while admitting that winning a confrontation with a smaller neighbor risks losing a long-term relationship.
He suggested that the two sides sit down and talk.
The DFA said that China’s ban on the entry of Kalayaan, Palawan town officials, who declared the Chinese ambassador as persona non grata, does not contribute to the “good and vibrant” ties with the Philippines.
Unfazed by survey
Malacañang was unfazed by the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, showing more Filipinos were satisfied with the performance of the Vice President than the President.
Castro said the survey ratings should not be used to deceive the public.
“Because no matter what the number is, the truth is that the President is the one working and some are just on vacation, no one can deny it,” Castro said.
While she did not name the official or officials on vacation, Castro has repeatedly criticized Duterte over her frequent travels abroad.
Duterte has a net satisfaction rating of “moderate” +28, up from her “moderate” +22 rating in September in the SWS survey, taken from Nov. 24 to 30, 2025.
Marcos’ ratings hardly moved from the “neutral” -5 (39 percent satisfied, 44 percent dissatisfied) that he obtained in a September 2025 poll.
Sharon to BBM: Wrong VP choice?
With his strained relationship with Duterte, singer-actress Sharon Cuneta teased Marcos over his “wrong” choice of runningmate during a gala event on Thursday celebrating Filipino artists.
Cuneta, dubbed as the country’s “Megastar,” was among the local celebrities who attended the dinner with the President and First Lady Liza Marcos, held at Foro de Intramuros in Manila.
Cuneta, who was with her husband Sen. Francis Pangilinan, joked that she has only one vice president.
“I’ve only one vice president, there – my date tonight. Your choice was wrong, right? OK, OK, let’s move on,” Cuneta said.
Pangilinan lost to Duterte, who was Marcos’ runningmate, in the 2022 vice presidential race. — Bella Cariaso
