Palace, VP Sara Duterte Trade Barbs Over Education, Leadership, and “Fake News”

MANILA — A fierce war of words erupted this week between Malacañang and Vice President Sara Duterte, with Palace officials branding her tenure as Department of Education (DepEd) chief a “complete failure” and accusing her of spreading “fake news” to discredit President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

In a press briefing Wednesday, Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said Duterte had two years to implement reforms in education but left behind unresolved issues and backlogs.

“Binigyan po siya ng pagkakataon, pinagkatiwalaan siya ng Pangulo since 2022 hanggang 2024 para maging DepEd secretary… Ang reklamo niya ngayon ay nagri-reflect lamang na siya ay naging complete failure,” Castro declared.

She highlighted that current DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara has been cleaning up Duterte’s “mess,” including the delayed distribution of 1.5 million laptops and gadgets procured since 2020.

Duterte, now on foreign trips that have included stops in Kuwait and Paris, rejected Malacañang’s remarks, insisting her statements on the Philippines lagging behind in education were “facts.” She recalled that Marcos himself repeatedly asked her to stay before she resigned in June 2024, even offering her another government post.

“Clearly, hindi ako failure. Kung failure ako, bakit niya ako pinipilit na mag-stay? Ang failure siguro ay ‘yung 10:30 a.m. pa lang amoy alak ka na,” Duterte said, alluding to Marcos allegedly smelling of whiskey during a Palace meeting.

On Thursday, Castro hit back, dismissing Duterte’s claims as “fake news” intended to undermine Marcos and position herself for the presidency.

“Lahat ng kwento niya ay para siraan ang Pangulo dahil nais niyang pababain ito sa puwesto at siya ang maging pangulo. Makasariling hangarin,” Castro said.

She pointed to Duterte’s supposed history of false claims, including an altered Beverly Hills police report and the so-called “polvoron video.”

Castro further claimed Angara uncovered anomalies under Duterte’s watch, such as the alleged ₱100 million “ghost students” and fake voucher scheme.

The escalating word war underscores the widening rift between Marcos and Duterte—once seen as allies in the ruling “UniTeam.”