MANILA — Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro likened Vice President Sara Duterte to the horror film character “Chucky” from Child’s Play in a reaction video posted on her personal YouTube channel.

Castro made the comment while watching Duterte’s statement on December 25 about not giving a Christmas message to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during an ambush interview. Duterte explained, “Bakit? Magbabago ba ‘yong ugali niya kung Christmas o hindi? Hindi naman magbabago. And in the same din, magbabago ba ‘yong ugali ko kung Christmas o hindi? So kung ayaw ko siyang batiin kahapon na hindi Christmas, ayaw ko siyang batiin ngayong Pasko.”

While viewing Duterte’s expression upon hearing Marcos’ name, Castro remarked in Filipino that the vice president’s facial expression resembled Chucky. “Magme-message daw ba kay PBBM? O tingnan n’yo ‘yong mukha niya mga ka-Kler. Nadinig lang ang pangalang ‘PBBM,’ tingnan n’yo siya ulit mga ka-Kler, may kahawig ito, e,” she said.

She further showed Google images of the “Good Guy Doll” possessed by Chucky, saying, “Tingnan ninyo ‘yong itsura niya dito, parang ganito, e. Nagsasalubong ang kilay. Parang ganiyan. Parang ganiyan lang kapag galit.”

Castro clarified that her comparison was about Duterte’s angry expression, contrasting it with Marcos’ calm demeanor. “Definitely, mahinahon ‘yon [PBBM]. Kahit hindi Pasko, mahinahon pa rin. Kahit hindi Pasko at maraming bashers, hindi nagmumura, hindi nagbabanta ng buhay. Hindi talaga magbabago kasi ugali niya ‘yon,” she said.

Asked whether her remark could lead to disbarment, Castro dismissed the possibility, saying, “There is greater ground for disbarment against a lawyer who has talked to an assassin to take the lives of the president, the first lady, and the speaker of the House. There is greater ground for disbarment against a lawyer who admits to killing, stealing from the public coffers, and paying someone to kill.”

As of publication, Vice President Duterte has not released any statement regarding Castro’s remarks.