1-7-2024 (CEBU CITY) In a candid statement that has further fueled speculation surrounding the nation’s political landscape, Vice President Sara Duterte has vehemently disagreed with claims that she is now the leader of the opposition against the Marcos administration. Meanwhile, her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, has categorically dismissed the notion of running for a Senate seat in the upcoming May 2025 midterm elections, contrary to Sara’s recent announcement.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday in Cebu City, the Vice President firmly asserted, “Based on my work, my character and my principles, I don’t act for the benefit of the administration, or the opposition, or for politics.” Her stance underscored her commitment to working for the greater good of the people, rather than aligning herself with any particular political faction.
“I work based on whatever is beneficial to the people, and whatever is rightful to (them),” she added, emphasizing her dedication to serving the interests of the Filipino people above all else.
The Vice President’s remarks come in the wake of her recent resignation as education secretary and co-vice chair of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, moves that had sparked speculation about her potential role as an opposition figure.
However, Duterte clarified that the UniTeam alliance, which propelled her and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to victory in the 2022 elections, was merely a temporary partnership formed specifically for that electoral contest.
Her stance has found support from an unlikely source – the Liberal Party (LP), which has rejected the notion of Duterte becoming an opposition leader. The LP has announced its intention to field its own senatorial slate in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections, further distancing itself from the Vice President’s political ambitions.
Duterte revealed that she remains focused on her remaining two weeks as the outgoing education secretary, stressing that her mind has not yet turned to political considerations for the time being.
In a surprising twist, the former president, Rodrigo Duterte, has categorically denied his daughter’s claim that he, along with Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, intended to run for the Senate in 2025, with Sebastian purportedly eyeing the presidency in 2028.
“You believed Inday? She made a fool out of you. Where can you see a father and his two sons in the Senate?” the former president said yesterday at a press conference in Tacloban City, using his daughter’s nickname.
“I will not return to politics. I’m done. I’m old. I don’t have money to spend. Yabang lang meron ako,” he added, essentially dismissing any plans for a political comeback.
Duterte further cautioned Filipinos against believing his daughter’s statements, suggesting that “she is just like me, but I have mellowed down since I’m old.”
On a separate note, the former president expressed his respect for the court’s decision to acquit former senator Leila de Lima in her last drug case. After her acquittal, De Lima had warned Duterte that he would “pay for his crimes,” to which he reiterated his stance that the International Criminal Court has no jurisdiction over the Philippines.
Amidst the swirling political dynamics, the Vice President has hinted at plans to build a senatorial slate for the 2025 polls, which could include members of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino. She had previously founded the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago, which achieved remarkable success during the previous midterm elections.
In a notable development, Duterte has confirmed that no confidential fund has been requested by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for its 2025 budget. This comes after the Commission on Audit had confirmed that Duterte spent the controversial P125-million confidential funds in just 11 days during 2022.
Both the OVP and the Department of Education had previously decided not to pursue their requested P500-million and P150-million confidential and intelligence funds for the 2024 budget, respectively. As a result, Congress allocated these funds for addressing issues related to the West Philippine Sea, as well as peace and order.
