Malacañang on Wednesday hit back at Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent criticism of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who she accused of being slow in addressing anomalies in flood control projects.

During a press conference in Palace, Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro questioned whether VP Sara was fully aware of the ongoing actions by the President.

“Unang-una po, di po natin alam kung siya po ba ay matagal na nag-stay sa isang kuweba at hindi niya nalalaman ang mga nagaganap at hindi niya nalalaman kung ano yung agarang isinasagawa ng ating Pangulo," she said.

"Siguro po kakailanganin niya na po ng mataas na grado na salamin o kaya hearing aid para madinig niya kung ano man ang lahat ng ginagawa at mga inuutos ng Pangulo sa mga law enforcement agencies, sa mga investigating bodies, kasama na po ang pagbubuo ng ICI” Castro stated.

In a statement, the vice president urged the President to act immediately on the alleged mismanagement of flood control funds, instead of waiting for the findings of the Inter-Agency Committee Investigation (ICI).

Castro stressed that President Marcos Jr. is already taking steps to investigate alleged anomalies, including issuing directives to law enforcement agencies and forming the ICI.

The Palace also emphasized that the President does not believe in a hasty approach reminiscent of the extrajudicial killings during the previous administration.

“Uulit-ulitin po natin dahil paulit-ulit naman po lamang ang sinasabi na issue ng Vice Presidente. Ang pag-iimbestiga po ay hindi po kailangang isang araw lang. Hindi po naniniwala ang Pangulo sa isang EJK style, walang imbestigahan, libingan ang hantuhan. Ang gusto ng Pangulo, due process. At hindi po dapat lamang na puro salita o kaya pangako,” Castro added.

Malacañang also criticized the previous administration after VP Sara’s remarks, noting that former President Rodrigo Duterte himself admitted to corruption during his term.

Castro cited a 2017 article in which the former President allegedly said, "Hindi ako nagmamalinis, marami rin akong nanakaw pero naubos na. So, wala na."

"So, 2017 ito, sana naibigay na rin niya sa kanyang ama kung paano agarang masusugpo ang korapsyon," Castro stated.

She highlighted that despite promises that corruption would be eliminated within three to six months, such claims were never realized.

The Palace also questioned VP Sara’s call for President Marcos to conduct "lifestyle checks" on all lawmakers.

“May moral ascendancy ba ang VP pagdating sa usapin ng korapsyon?," Castro asked.