MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang pushed back against Vice President Sara Duterte’s criticism of the government’s response to rising oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro questioned Duterte’s claim that the administration failed to prepare for the possibility of a global oil crisis.
The vice president earlier said the government should have begun preparing as early as 2022 for potential conflict in Iran.
After noting that 2022 was still during Duterte’s father’s administration, Castro said Duterte herself should have informed authorities if she—armed with a “crystal ball”—had knowledge of the risk earlier.
“Kung siya’y may alam as early as 2022 at hindi man lang niya ito binanggit diretso sa ating mga kababayan, sino ang hindi nagtrabaho? Sino ang walang ginawa?” Castro said at a press briefing.
“Hindi po ba obligasyon niya bilang bise presidente na ito ay ipaalam sa ating awtoridad para man lang ang ating mga kababayan ay nakapaghanda?”
Castro also raised the possibility that failing to disclose such information earlier could amount to a breach of public trust.
“Kung hindi niya ito sinabi, definitely this is a breach of public trust,” she said.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/03/13/2514059/watch-palace-hits-back-sara-duterte-over-oil-price-criticism
