VICE President Sara Duterte on Thursday, August 6, 2026, said there is no need to further “disrupt” the ongoing impeachment proceedings against her, as Malacañang dismissed claims that the reported arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was being used as a diversion from the trial.
Duterte is currently facing impeachment proceedings that began in the House of Representatives earlier this year, where lawmakers endorsed complaints accusing her of alleged constitutional violations, misuse of public funds, and abuse of authority—charges she has repeatedly denied. The case has since moved to the Senate for trial.
Speaking after the Thanksgiving Mass for Kadayawan 2026 at San Pedro Cathedral, Duterte insisted the impeachment process itself is already flawed.
“I don’t think kailangan guluhin ang impeachment. Napaka-klaro naman yung bending the law diyan sa impeachment na yan simula pa sa House of Representatives, hanggang sa pagkakaroon ng dalawang tao na nakaupo doon sa ano bang tawag diyan? Stage or rostrum or elevated platform. Hindi na kailangan guluhin ang impeachment dahil magulo na siya sa bending the law,” Duterte said.
(I don’t think it is necessary to disrupt the impeachment. It is very clear that there has been bending of the law in that impeachment—from the House of Representatives up to the setup where two people are seated on the stage or rostrum. There is no need to disrupt it because it is already messy due to the bending of the law.)
The Vice President’s remarks came amid circulating claims that dela Rosa had been arrested, which some allies described as an attempt to divert public attention from the impeachment case. However, Malacañang denied this, saying there was no such diversion and that the issue should not distract from legal processes.
Separate reports also fueled speculation after cryptic social media posts and alleged sightings involving a private plane triggered buzz over dela Rosa’s supposed arrest, though no official confirmation was issued. Earlier reports likewise said the senator remained at large.
Dela Rosa has been associated with the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. The ICC has been examining allegations that crimes against humanity were committed during the campaign, particularly in relation to thousands of deaths linked by human rights groups and international investigators to police operations and alleged extrajudicial killings.
Duterte, for her part, expressed satisfaction with her legal team handling the impeachment case.
“Of course, yes. Nagpapasalamat lang talaga ako dahil mayroong mga abogado na tinanggap ang aking kaso at they are diligent and passionate enough to defend me (I am truly grateful that there are lawyers who accepted my case and they are diligent and passionate enough to defend me),” she said.
She also claimed that the administration is targeting political opponents, including her allies.
“Well, it shows kung ano yung pinagkakaabalahan ng administrasyon ngayon… may pattern na hindi lang si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, hindi lang ako, kundi lahat ng hindi sumunod sa palasyo kay President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ay hinahabol, tinitira, kinakasuhan, hinaharas, tini-threaten,” she said.
(It shows what the administration is focused on right now… there is a pattern that not only former President Duterte and I are being targeted, but everyone who does not follow Malacañang under President Marcos is being pursued, attacked, charged, harassed, and threatened.)
The Vice President also defended her visits to detainees, including political allies, which have drawn scrutiny from authorities and the courts.
“Wala namang, I don’t see anything wrong with visiting Persons Deprived of Liberty… wala akong nakikita na masama sa pagbisita kay Arnie Tevez, kay Pastor Quiboloy, as I said, President Duterte, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, Senator Jinggoy Estrada and Mike Defensor… kasi kilala ko naman sila and I think kaibigan ko sila,” she said.
(I don’t see anything wrong with visiting persons deprived of liberty… I see nothing wrong with visiting Arnie Tevez, Pastor Quiboloy, President Duterte, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, Senator Jinggoy Estrada and Mike Defensor… because I know them and I think they are my friends.)
Her visits, particularly to detained lawmaker Rodante Marcoleta, had earlier been questioned by a Sandiganbayan justice, including concerns over access and protocol (GMA News report). The Philippine National Police (PNP) later defended its handling of visitors, saying procedures were followed despite scrutiny (Manila Bulletin report).
Duterte maintained that her visits were driven by compassion.
“Praktikal na reason but yung hindi ka na malaya na magawa kung ano yung mga normal at ordinaryong ginagawa mo sa buhay. So, let’s give sympathy and empathy sa mga PDLs,” she added.
(There is a practical reason—they are no longer free to do normal and ordinary things in life. So let’s give sympathy and empathy to PDLs.)
Asked about her message to detained officials, Duterte said she encouraged them to act in the country’s interest. RGL
