Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro refuted Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim suggesting she is related to ACT Teachers partylist Rep. France Castro, explaining that they merely share a last name but emphasizing that she would feel no shame if they were actually related.
Duterte earlier recounted her experience with individuals bearing the Castro surname, citing Rep. Castro as someone who "does not say anything good," and suggesting that the Palace official might be her cousin, implying they could be from the same family tree.
The progressive lawmaker has been a consistent critic of the Dutertes, particularly over Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds.
In a press briefing, Castro expressed disappointment that the Vice President is involved in spreading "disinformation," reiterating that she had already addressed the issue in an earlier briefing.
"Siguro ito po iyong nakakalungkot: Bilang isang Bise Presidente, dapat na nanunood po siya ng mga press briefing. Niliwanag ko na po iyan minsan, at alam ninyo po iyan, ang patungkol sa nasasabing relasyon namin ni Representative France Castro. Sinabi ko po na kami po ay hindi magkamag-anak; magkapareho lang po siguro ng surname," the Palace official explained.
However, Castro pointed out that she would not be ashamed if Rep. France Castro were her relative, as she views her as a patriotic and humane person.
"Pero hindi ko po ikakahiya kung siya man po ay naging kamag-anak ko dahil siya po ay makabayan. Masasabi po nating makabayan, makatao rin po. Pero nagkataon lang po, hindi po kasi kami magkamag-anak," she added.
This is not the first time Usec. Castro has clarified that she is not related to Rep. Castro. Following her appointment at the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), she emphasized that they only share a surname.
