Palace hits VP Sara's 'budol' remark

Malacañang, through Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, has responded to Vice President Sara Duterte's criticisms, including her remarks calling President Marcos Jr. a "budol" or scam.

Castro questioned who was truly scamming, contrasting it with the President's focus on work rather than politics.

She clarified that the P16.6 trillion national debt, accumulated by the end of February 2025, includes amounts from past administrations.

Castro reminded Duterte that the administration of former President Duterte accumulated the highest debt, reaching P12.79 trillion by June 2022, with a solo debt increase of 115.1% during that period.

The Palace Press Officer also questioned why the Vice President does not recognize the programs of the Marcos administration, citing initiatives like expanded PhilHealth benefits, the P20/kilo rice program, and an upcoming fuel subsidy program.