Malacañang on Wednesday brushed aside Vice President Sara Duterte’s latest criticisms of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., saying her statements against the administration were unfounded and not worth responding to.

Malacañang on Wednesday brushed aside Vice President Sara Duterte’s latest criticisms of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., saying her statements against the administration were unfounded and not worth responding to.

Speaking at a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said it would be a “waste of time” to answer Duterte’s allegations, particularly after the Vice President admitted that she did not listen to Marcos’ fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

Castro stressed that the SONA is a constitutional obligation of the President, serving as the government’s report to the public on its accomplishments and legislative priorities.

She said disregarding the President’s address also meant failing to recognize the importance of the Constitution and the country’s democratic institutions.

“Ano po ba ang nangyayari sa isang tao kapag hindi po inaalam ang sitwasyon ng kanyang bansa, kung ano ang programa ng pangulo? Walang alam,” Castro said.

She urged Filipinos to stay informed and verify facts, warning that people who remain uninformed are more vulnerable to manipulation.

“May mga tao na ang nais ay manatiling walang alam, mangmang ang mga kababayan. Mas madaling manipulahin ang mga taong walang alam,” Castro said.

“Obligasyon po nating alamin ang katotohanan at huwag tayong sumunod sinuman na nag-uudjok na manatili tayong mangmang sa katotohanan. Mabubulag po tayo diyan. Obligasyon po nating alamin para hindi tayo manatiling mangmang sa katotohanan,” she added.

Asked about Duterte’s remarks questioning whether the administration had fulfilled campaign promises, including the commitment to provide rice at P20 per kilo, Castro rejected the claim.

She said the subsidized rice program is already being implemented through Kadiwa centers and is benefiting Filipino consumers.

Castro also dismissed Duterte’s assertion that Marcos had failed to fulfill a personal promise involving her use of the presidential helicopter to travel home daily to be with her children.

The Palace official likewise rejected Duterte’s statements suggesting that the country was moving toward a dictatorship and questioning whether the 2028 national elections would proceed, saying it would also be a “waste of time” to respond to those allegations.

Castro also criticized Duterte’s claim that recent incidents of school violence reflected weak leadership.

She said the government, together with the Philippine National Police, had responded promptly to the incidents and continues to implement measures to address such cases.

“Mas maganda po talagang alamin kung anong programa ng Pangulo para hindi po tayo nabubulag sa katotohanan,” Castro said.