FEBRUARY 26, 2026 — In a rare twist, Malacañang found itself nodding along with Vice President Sara Duterte’s sharp critique of President Marcos’ Cabinet. Duterte had said over the weekend that “not all secretaries are competent,” lamenting the disorganized state of governance where “no one gives them orders and no one oversees them.”

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro didn’t deny it. Instead, she threw the spotlight back on Duterte herself: “Mukhang tumama naman po siya dahil siya, bilang secretary ng DepEd, naitalaga siya ng Pangulo, pinagtiwalaan siya ng Pangulo, pero sa bandang huli aamin pala ang Bise Presidente na siya ay walang kaalam-alam sa pagiging DepEd secretary.”

(It looks like she was right because she was appointed by the President as DepEd secretary, trusted by the President, but in the end the Vice President admitted she had no knowledge of being DepEd secretary.)

Castro went further, listing the “ghosts” haunting Duterte’s stint at DepEd — phantom students, vouchers, food packs, laptops, and school materials. 

“At ang mga kalat na ito ay ngayon winawalis at nililinis ni Secretary Sonny Angara ng DepEd,” she added, stressing that the current education chief is left to clean up the mess.

(And these messes are now being swept and cleaned up by Secretary Sonny Angara of the DepEd.)

Now, this exchange is the pinnacle of political shade. It raises uncomfortable issues about competence in government — how appointments are made, who gets trusted, and what happens when trust doesn’t translate to performance. The Palace’s admission, even if laced with sarcasm and criticism of Duterte, is a rare acknowledgment that not all Cabinet members are up to the task.

In a country where education, healthcare, and basic services hinge on the efficiency of these secretaries, the public deserves more than just loyalty appointments. Competence isn’t supposed to be optional — it’s the bare minimum.

So when the Palace and the Vice President trade blows, do you find yourself nodding with Castro or standing with Sara?

(Image: Philippine News Agency | Facebook)