MANILA — Malacañang lashed out at Vice President Sara Duterte, with Palace Press Officer Claire Castro calling her an “emotional vulture” for questioning the country’s future ahead of the 2028 national elections.

Duterte earlier pondered whether there would still be a Philippines by 2028, citing what she described as numerous problems facing the country.

Castro accused the vice president of ignoring the Marcos administration’s efforts to address national issues.

“Nakakalungkot lamang dahil iyan ay galawang Duterte, showing the characteristics of an emotional vulture, isang buwitre – nagpapanggap na concern sa kalagayan ng bansa when in fact she admitted that she doesn’t want to help the President in his projects for the country. Drama pero walang gawa,” Castro said in a press briefing.

Castro added that if the country were to cease to exist by 2028, it would only be because voters chose a “Manchurian candidate,” which she described as a puppet of another nation willing to surrender the country’s resources. She did not directly identify Duterte as such.

The Palace official also criticized Duterte for allegedly spreading disinformation, citing previous controversies, including the vice president’s statement that she knew of a hitman who could target President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Asked for her Valentine’s Day message to the vice president, Castro said: “Spread love, not fake news, not immorality. Don’t be a chucky.”