Palace Press Officer Claire Castro and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro. ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Friday corrected Vice President Sara Duterte for claiming she is related to ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, adding however, that she would not be ashamed to be related to the progressive lawmaker.

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In an interview posted on social media by Bombo Radyo Davao, the Duterte criticized Rep. Castro and “her cousin Claire Castro” for their public statements against her. 

“Alam niyo kasi may experience na ako sa Castro na apelido, yung si France Castro… Wala talagang maayos na lumabas doon sa bibig ng babae na 'yon, siguro itong pinsan niya na si Claire Castro, kaya ganyan din siguro. Baka galing din sila sa isang puno,” Duterte was quoted as saying. 

(You know, I already have experience with people with the Castro surname. For example, France Castro, she does not say anything good. Maybe that is why her cousin Claire Castro is also like that. Maybe they are from the same family tree)

Rep. Castro has been a vocal critic of the Dutertes and of the vice president's allegedly irregular use of confidential funds, an accusation that has been included in the articles of impeachment that the House of Representatives forwarded to the Senate in February for trial.

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Asked for comment, Undersecretary Castro said she was disappointed that the vice president would spread false narratives.

She said had already addressed claims that she is related to the progressive lawmaker at a Palace briefing.

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Asked for comment, she expressed disappointment that someone like the vice president would spread a false narrative.

“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,” Castro said. 

(I have already clarified — and you know this — my supposed relation to Rep. France Castro. I already said we are not related and only have the same surname)

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Undersecretary Castro added that it is not good for Duterte to be spreading disinformation.

“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.

(But even if we were related, I would not be ashamed of it because she is a patriotic. We can say she is for the country and for the people. But, as it happens, we are really not related)

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