President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. humorously scolded Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro for sharing his “buwaon” remark toward Vice President Sara Duterte during a supposedly “private conversation.”
In a "24 Oras" report by Jonathan Andal, the word buwaon means “sinungaling (liar)” in Waray.
“Ay bakit mo sinabi (why did you tell them)… That’s just supposed to be [between] the two of us,” Marcos asked Castro during his Kapihan with the media in Singapore on Sunday.
Castro first shared the word with the media when asked about Marcos’ reaction to Vice President Sara Duterte’s allegations that his administration was desperate to bring her down and was pushing for Charter Change to stop the 2028 national elections.
“Ito po ang mismong mensahe ng Pangulo: Mga buwaon. Translate natin, mga sinungaling,” Castro said during a palace briefing on September 28.
(This is the message of the President: Mga buwaon. Let's translate, liars.)
During the Kapihan, Marcos explained that he uttered the word during a conversation with Castro, whom he had asked to verify reports regarding Duterte’s allegations against the administration.
“I just got this report, and I asked [her], ‘Is it true that this report came out?’ And ‘yon ang comment ko sa kaniya. Akala niya press release na pala ‘yon. ‘Kaw talaga. Ante Kler talaga oh,” the President said.
(I just received the report and asked her, ‘Is it true that this report came out?’ That was simply my comment to her. She thought it was already an official press release. Oh, Usec. Claire.)
Castro humorously offered an apology, to which Marcos playfully responded that they would discuss the matter further in private.
Marcos emphasized that Duterte’s allegations were indeed “fake news.” He challenged the Vice President to prove her claims and present evidence.
“Well, this is fake news. Prove it. You’re saying that based on what?” the President said.
Super El Niño
In preparation for Super El Niño, Marcos advised the public to start harvesting rainwater to ensure they do not run out of supply.
“Bumili na kayo ng balde, para 'pag umulan, makolekta na ninyo lahat,” Marcos said.
(Buy water containers ahead, so that when it rains you can collect all of it.)
He added that the government will distribute water filters and teach citizens how to safely treat rainwater for consumption.
“We’ll give you a filter, we’ll teach you how to do everything para hindi kayo magkasakit at maayos ang pag-treat ng tubig, pag-filter ng tubig,” the President said.
(We’ll give you a filter and teach you how to do everything so that you won't get sick and can properly treat and filter the water.)
Marcos assured the public that there will be an adequate supply of rice, beef, chicken, fish, and pork, but warned that vegetable production would be severely impacted during the Super El Niño.
He encouraged the public to embrace “green revolution” by growing their own crops at home, similar to what was done during the pandemic.
Territorial waters
On maritime aggression, Marcos expressed grave concern over the recent interference by the China Coast Guard in a medical emergency evacuation for a Philippine Navy personnel aboard BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.
The President acknowledged that an escalation is taking place in the West Philippine Sea between the Philippines and China.
“Unfortunately, there really is an escalation. There are more stated requirements [and] permissions. In my own property, you’re going to tell me what I am allowed and not allowed to do? Within my own territory? Dagat namin to eh (this is our sea),” Marcos said.
Proposed social media ban
Meanwhile, regarding a proposed social media ban for minors, Marcos said his office is still assessing the decision.
He pointed out that while other countries have implemented similar measures, the government is studying whether it will be effective or if it might make monitoring harder because children would simply hide their activity.
“Tinitignan namin kung tama ba... But there’s also one thing that comes after it na 'pag binan mo [ay] itatago nung bata. So hindi mo ngayon alam na that kid is going onto that site reading about this, is getting groomed. Maybe that's the hard question. Maybe it's better if we know kahit na they are not doing the right thing, turuan natin,” Marcos explained.
(We are looking into whether this is the right approach... But there is also the issue that if you ban it, children will just hide it. Then you won't know that a child is accessing that site, reading content, or being groomed. Maybe that's the hard question. Perhaps it's better if we know, even if they aren't doing the right thing, so we can guide them.)
The Senate on Friday approved the Safe Media Access and Responsible Technology for Kids in Digital Spaces or Smart Kids Act, a bill seeking to ban minors from having social media accounts.
Under the bill, children aged 17 and below are restricted from having access to harmful digital applications and websites. Existing accounts belonging to minors will be disabled or suspended, and they will be barred from creating new ones. — Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/BAP, GMA News