Statement of Malacañang on Criticisms of VP Sara Duterte
Malacañang reacted to the criticism of Vice President Sara Duterte over the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) amid the Middle East war.
During a recent interview that circulated on social media, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte criticized the Marcos Jr. administration for what she described as an alleged lack of urgency in repatriating Filipinos caught in the escalating tension in the Middle East. She stressed that the safety of overseas Filipino workers should be the government’s foremost concern.
Vice Pres. Duterte argued that the government should have acted faster and made it a priority to send planes to bring home affected Filipinos amid the escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. According to her, logistical challenges should not be used as excuses.
When the tension escalated in Iran after the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against the country that led to the death of its leader, Pres. Bongbong Marcos urged the Filipinos in the affected areas to seek shelter. The President explained that immediate mass repatriation was not feasible due to closed airports and dangerous flight conditions.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that clear evacuation protocols should have been established and there must have neem coordination with relevant agencies to safeguard the OFWs. She also highlighted the importance of reintegration support for returning OFWs citing that many of whom are breadwinners who support their families back home.
Malacañang reacted to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s remarks claiming that it is allegedly hard if someone is not aware of the programs of the government. According to Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro, the opinions of the leaders should not be based on friends but on the truth.
Recently, based on a report on GMA News, Malacañang press officer Usec. Claire Castro reacted to the criticism of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte anew regarding the repatriation of Filipinos in the areas affected by the escalating tension in the Middle East. The Vice President claimed that it is allegedly easy to contact a commercial airline to provide rescue operations.
”Nadinig ko po na ‘yan, na parang napakadali lang, hindi daw problema na magpadala ng eroplano sa ganoong sitwasyon. Actually po ang Pangulo, ito po ah, noong kami po ay nagmeeting para dito… ang unang-una po talagang naalala ng Pangulo ay ito po ah, para malaman ng lahat na hindi po ganoon kadali magpadala ng eroplano… unang-una po, pag sarado po ang airspace, hindi ka po talaga makakalipad… so kaya po imposible ‘yung sinasabi ng Bise Presidente na madaling magpadala ng eroplano,” Castro told dzBB.
Based on the report, the Malacañang press official further claimed that Pres. Bongbong Marcos emphasized the safety of the Filipinos as the foremost priority. The Chief Executive does not want the OFWs who will be repatriated to get caught in friendly fires.
‘Sabi niya, baka lalong malagay sa kapahamakan ‘yung ating mga kababayan. Siguraduhin lang na kung sila ay ililipad, siguraduhing ligtas ‘yung buhay,” the Malacañang official said.
Currently, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is in New York for a two-day working visit.