Malacañang on Friday slammed Vice President Sara Duterte’s “good luck” remark when asked about online rumors regarding the health of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., calling the statement a “irresponsible.”

On Thursday, during an interview in Davao City, Duterte was asked to comment on circulating claims that President Marcos is suffering from a serious illness.

The Vice President responded briefly, saying, “Good luck sa kaniya.”

Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro swiftly criticized the statement, also calling out Duterte’s body language.

Speaking at a press briefing, Castro said the Vice President’s response was inappropriate and that both the question and the answer reflected irresponsibility, noting that the issue being discussed had no factual basis.

“Isang sagot, pero makikita niyo sa body language kung ano ang ibig sabihin noong tinanong ito na masasabi nating irresponsible. Isang iresponsibleng tanong dahil walang pinanghuhugutan, walang batayan,” Castro said.

“Doon pa lang sa word na lumalalang kalusugan, alam natin na walang basehan pero itinanonng pa rin sa kanya. Kaya ang nakuha rin natin sa Bise Presidente ay iresponsableng sagot [na] 'good luck' with a smile,” she said.

Castro also stressed that Filipinos should not make light of or mock illnesses, especially when such claims are being used to discredit the President.

“Bilang isang Pilipino, hindi natin gawi ang mangutya, pagtawanan ang sinumang may sakit, lalong-lalo na kung ito'y ginagawang sakit para masira ang Pangulo,” she said.

She further remarked, “Ang sabi nga nila, 'An idle mind is [the] devil's playground.' Makikita natin, tumawa. Is that a last laugh mentality or mockery of misery?”

The Palace had earlier denied rumors claiming that Marcos was experiencing health problems.