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Bella Cariaso - The Philippine Star
February 14, 2026 | 12:00am
In a Facebook post on Aug. 5, 2025, Vice President Sara Duterte shared photos of her administering the oath of office to newly elected officials of the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte.
Vice President Sara Duterte via Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte yesterday hit back at Malacañang after Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said she has a “talent” for spreading falsehoods.
“I’ve been saying it over and over again, that Claire Castro brings shame to our country because she is the spokesperson of the Office of the President. If the Office of the President speaks, the whole world listens, not just our countrymen. If that’s what she says, she is bringing shame to our country,” Duterte said in Davao City.
Castro dismissed Duterte’s claim that she has stopped talking to her senator allies because the Marcos administration threatens or harasses those who help or speak to her.
Castro also cited Duterte’s previous claim that the cheap rice offered by the government is only fit for pigs.
Duterte, an ally-turned-arch critic of President Marcos, told reporters in Zamboanga last Monday that she no longer speaks to people to spare them from the wrath of the administration.
The Vice President resigned as education secretary and vice chair of the government’s anti-insurgency task force in June 2024, after her relationship with the Marcoses soured.
Everyone can run
The Vice President on Friday said that everyone who is qualified under the Constitution can run amid the reported plan of the united opposition to field former vice president and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo and Sen. Risa Hontiveros in the upcoming 2028 presidential elections.
“If we still have a country that can be called the Philippines in 2028 and there is elections, everyone who can run can,” Duterte said.
Former budget secretary Florencio Abad said that Senators Bam Aquino and Hontiveros are open to run for president in 2028 under the united opposition, but maintained that Robredo is still the most winnable candidate.
“Is there still the Philippines to talk about in 2028? We are drowning in garbage, floods and all economic indicators, even in corruption, we are already bankrupt. No proper work is happening in the government. There are no development projects that we can say. None of that. So that’s why I’m afraid that one day we might wake up and there won’t be a proper government anymore. The country is in chaos,” Duterte added.
Meanwhile, Duterte was mum when asked about her plans in 2028.
Duterte previously said that she will decide in December 2026 whether or not to run for president.
‘Pinoys satisfied’
The Vice President on Friday attributed her higher trust rating compared to President Marcos to her accomplishments after the Social Weather Stations (SWS) 2025 fourth quarter survey found that more Filipinos are satisfied with her than the Chief Executive.
“I believe people look at what an official has done for the people and there, they base their assessment or rating on a public official,” Duterte said.
Results of the Nov. 24 to 30 survey released on Tuesday showed that 54 percent of respondents were satisfied with Duterte’s performance.
It was slightly up from the 52 percent she obtained in a similar poll in September 2025.
Those who were dissatisfied with her dropped from 30 percent to 26 percent, while undecided respondents hardly moved from 17 percent to 19 percent.
This gave Duterte a net satisfaction rating of “moderate” +28, up from her “moderate” +22 rating in September.
SWS earlier released Marcos’ satisfaction ratings, which stayed at “neutral” -3.
It was composed of 40 percent who were satisfied and 43 percent dissatisfied with his performance.
Marcos’ ratings hardly moved from the “neutral” -5 (39 percent satisfied, 44 percent dissatisfied) that he obtained in the September 2025 poll.
“We at the Office of the Vice President are always grateful, whether there is a survey or not. As Vice President, I thank the continued support of our citizens, our countrymen, in programs, projects and activities of the Office of the Vice President and of course my walks,” Duterte said.
