Palace to Baste Duterte: Learn facts before being an obstructionist
Davao City Mayor Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte — Photo from the official website of the City Government of Davao
MANILA, Philippines — The Palace on Wednesday fired back at former President Rodrigo Duterte’s youngest son, incumbent Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, for his tirades against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying the mayor is misinformed.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro responded after the younger Duterte made several heated remarks against the President while he was visiting his father in The Hague.
While Castro acknowledges that “no nice words” should be expected from Duterte at this point, the Palace official criticized his claim that Marcos’ recent Cabinet revamp was merely a smokescreen to get Menardo Guevarra out as solicitor general.
“Maybe he should first ask the former Solicitor General about Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra’s accomplishments before criticizing what the President has done,” said Castro in a Palace press conference.
Castro reiterated that Marcos accepted the courtesy resignations of officials he believed “underdelivered” or “underperformed” and retained those he “trusted.”
“He should first learn the facts before criticizing and being an obstructionist,” she added.
Castro also blasted the Davao City mayor for calling Marcos a “liar” for his supposed “offer” to reconcile with the Dutertes.
READ: Marcos says he’s willing to reconcile with Dutertes
However, Castro clarified that Marcos did not “offer” to reconcile but merely expressed being “open” to the idea of reconciliation with the Dutertes, as well as other parties who view themselves as opposition.
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“It’s possible that Mayor Baste doesn’t fully understand the President’s message about reconciliation, or he may be surrounded by fake news peddlers who are feeding him misleading ideas,” said Castro.
“So, that is actually pitiful,” she added. /das/abc
