MANILA – Malacañang criticized Vice President Sara Duterte for allegedly using verbal attacks against the Marcos administration to divert public attention from issues within her office.

“I think it’s strategy. This is part of their strategy na malihis ang katotohanan na may mga issue silang kinakaharap,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in an interview with dzMM.

Castro said Duterte’s tirades aim to distract the public from concerns flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding the Office of the Vice President (OVP), including its purchase of CCTV units reportedly costing PHP200,000 each.

“Bawat isa? Hala. ‘Yun ‘yung nabasa ko sa report. Sinasabi naman ng OVP ngayon na nagkamali lang daw sila sa pagre-report tungkol doon,” Castro said, noting that the OVP initially claimed proper planning and reporting, but COA findings showed otherwise.

Other issues flagged by the audit include missing reports, insufficient documentation, uncertified beneficiaries, and lack of feasibility studies. Castro also cited unresolved controversies, such as a PHP15-million fund linked to AFP certificates used during a Youth Summit, allegedly meant to obscure parts of confidential funds.

“So ‘yun po kaya nakakagulat na taliwas. Taliwas sa sinabi ng OVP ng bise presidente itong inilahad ng COA… Sana maging makatotohanan lang naman ang kanyang paglalahad at hindi yung nakikita niya na huwag daw pakinggan ang Palasyo,” Castro said.

She emphasized that the Marcos administration has been transparent in addressing anomalies, while the OVP’s narrative has shifted blame to the President. Castro urged the OVP to provide accurate, complete, and verifiable reports to ensure proper management of public funds and transparency in resolving pending audit issues. (PNA)