By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
At the Malacañang press briefing this Wednesday, July 9, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press officer Claire Castro reiterated President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive on public servants to perform their duties amid political noise.
Castro noted that through various programs and initiatives across the archipelago that have helped Filipinos, President Marcos remains focused on his work as the country’s top government official.
She also noted the President’s attendance at the turnover ceremony of 387 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to various local government units (LGUs) in Luzon this Wednesday morning, citing it as proof of the Chief Executive’s steadfast commitment to serving the Philippines.
“Ang Pangulong Marcos Jr., alam po niya ang direksiyon niya. Alam po niya ang [trabaho na dapat gawin], at iyan po ang pinag-uutos sa lahat ng public servants, lalong lalo na po sa ilalim ng executive department. Ang utos sa amin ay magtrabaho, iwasan ang pamumulitika,” Castro declared.
The Palace press briefer was quick to point out that the President is actively uplifting the nation by addressing gaps in government services that greatly benefit the masses, a rebuttal to Vice President Sara Duterte’s call on the Chief Executive to “stop politicking” and focus on public service instead.
“Sa ngayon po ba ay nasaan si VP Sara or si Bise Presidente noong iyan ay sinabi niya? Nasaan po ba siya ngayon? The Hague, okay. At ang ating pagkakaalam, hanggang kailan po siya doon? Hanggang July 23. So, iyon lamang po. Tandaan po natin, ang Pangulo po ‘aksiyon, aksiyon—hindi bakasyon’,” Castro declared.
As of press time, the Vice President is in The Hague, Netherlands to visit her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. He is held at the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention facility, facing charges of crimes against humanity for the deaths linked to his administration’s drug war.
av
