‘Not an attack dog’: Sara Duterte office taps ex-DTI official Ruth Castelo as new spokesperson

Former DTI undersecretary Ruth Castelo is the new spokesperson of the OVP. Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATE) — Vice President Sara Duterte's office on Wednesday announced the appointment of former trade undersecretary Ruth Castelo as its new spokesperson, saying she would not serve as an “attack dog.”

Sara Duterte spokesperson leaves OVP, says contract 'pre-terminated'

Castelo said she applied for “any position” in the OVP in early 2025 after leaving the Department of Trade and Industry, where she was placed on “floating status” after she authorized a raid on a Davao-based steel company.

“I was undersecretary for the Consumer Protection Group. I did something that any honest government official will do. I was put in hot water for that, and I was floated,” she said.

“It was not a good separation for me with the department because I was doing what was right,” she said.

“Me being keen on joining the Office of the Vice President is my way of giving back to the country,” she said.

Castelo’s role will only cover issues surrounding the OVP, while lawyer Michael Poa will respond to questions on impeachment matters.

‘NOT AN ATTACK DOG’

Castelo said Duterte instructed her “to be forthright with the message that I need to convey and these are the projects and programs.”

“The instructions are: I am not an attack dog,” Castelo said.

“I will not go on the offensive. I will just report on what message the Office of the Vice President needs,” she said.

“I am not here to sling any mud to anyone.”

Castelo clarified that the case of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and grave abuse of authority filed against her before the Office of the Ombudsman has been dismissed.

The same steel company that filed charges against Castelo sought her disbarment in 2023, but she has yet to receive a notice if the Supreme Court has already acted on the petition.

Castelo — a lawyer by profession — used to anchor the DTI's consumer education radio program “Konsyumer Atbp” on DZMM and DZBB.

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