The attack dog

You won't hear Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cussing in public or making misogynistic or un-PC jokes.

- ANA MARIE PAMINTUAN

But with his rift with the Duterte camp growing deeper, some people think they're seeing a case of No More Mr. Nice Guy. Or is it just our intrigue-loving imagination?

BBM went negative in campaigning for his Alyansa Senate slate, minus one as he pointedly skipped mentioning his Ate Imee, who has since officially bolted the coalition, and whose latest moniker is Senator Ekek.

The hiss from the snake pit is that another member of the Alyansa slate could also be junked, and it would be the least of the candidate's woes inflicted by the administration.

BBM is no longer beyond making snide remarks, especially when it comes to his erstwhile UniTeam running mate, Vice President Sara Duterte.

Meanwhile, the VP seems to have learned the virtue of tempering her barbs aimed at those in power. But she still makes some remarks that elicit sharp retorts from Malacañang—either from BBM or from the person seen to be speaking for him, Claire Castro.

A lawyer and former broadcaster, Castro's job designation is Palace press officer and undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office.

She told me that the office of the presidential spokesperson has been abolished by BBM, with no plans for its revival, so no, she's not his spokesperson.

Still, she's currently seen as the Palace mouthpiece, and her style is being likened to that of Duterte's pugnacious spokesperson, Harry Roque.

The feisty Castro laughed off descriptions of her as a pit bull and attack dog of Malacañang, saying she has always been like this even when working as a trial lawyer.

Facing me on The STAR's online show "Truth on the Line" last Thursday, Castro said she gets many haters on social media, but also people who approve of her work.