MARCH 9, 2026 — The Palace wasted no time in firing back at Vice President Sara Duterte after her remarks questioning the government’s repatriation efforts for Filipinos trapped in the Middle East conflict. In her new interview series, Ibalik ang Tapang at Malasakit, Duterte suggested that sending planes to rescue stranded Filipinos should not be as difficult as Malacañang claims. 

She cited her experience during the pandemic when Davao residents were flown home from Metro Manila, saying, “Hindi ganyan kahirap magpadala ng eroplano kung saan mo gusto kumuha o mag-rescue ng tao.” 

(It’s not that hard to send a plane wherever you want to rescue people.)

But Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro pushed back hard, stressing that the Vice President’s comments were detached from the realities of international airspace restrictions and the volatile security situation. 

“Unang-una po siguro, ‘yan ang problema po sa mga hindi nag-aaral at hindi nag-iisip at hindi inaalam po ano talaga ang programa ng gobyernong ito,” she said. 

(First of all, that’s the problem with those who don’t study, don’t think, and don’t understand the government’s actual program.) 

Castro added that decisions should be based on facts and conditions on the ground, not anecdotes from friends or hearsay.

The Middle East is on edge after a massive US-Israel strike killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28. Iran has vowed retaliation, while Gulf states allied with Washington brace for fallout. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has advised Filipinos in affected areas to shelter in place while the government explores safe evacuation routes. In such a tense environment, one careless remark can ripple across diplomatic and humanitarian efforts.

Here in the Philippines, the exchange between Duterte and the Palace is more than just political sparring — it’s a reminder of how leaders’ words shape public perception. For overseas Filipino workers and their families, the issue is not abstract. It’s about safety, survival, and trust in government action. 

While Duterte’s populist tone resonates with those frustrated by bureaucracy, the Palace insists that repatriation is not as simple as booking a flight. Airspace closures, military tensions, and international negotiations complicate every move.

So how do we balance the urgency of protecting our kababayans abroad with the need for sober, fact-based leadership at home? And in times of global crisis, the stakes are too high for leaders to trade barbs instead of solutions.

When our kababayans’ safety is on the line, do we want leaders who just talk big or leaders who actually get the job done?

(Image: Philippine Information Agency)