EMBATTLED Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte brushed off her impeachment before the House of Representatives, saying a breakup is more painful.
“Alam ninyo, mas masakit pa maiwanan ng boyfriend o girlfriend kaysa ma-impeach ka ng House of Representatives,” she said in a press conference Friday, February 7, 2025.
(You know, it's more painful to be left by your boyfriend or girlfriend than to be impeached by the House of Representatives.)
When asked how she is feeling amid the pursuit of an impeachment case against her, Duterte said she is "okay."
“If I feel betrayed? Actually wala akong feelings. Wala akong feelings about it. Kung mapapansin niyo wala akong barkadang pulitiko. I don’t join circles, but I join them. I don’t move in the circle of politicians. Kaibigan, yes, but to say that meron akong close personal relationship with them, wala naman. Kaya siguro ganyan kadali sa kanilang magdesisyon about the impeachment kasi wala naman talagang something that is worthwhile sa aming pagiging magkaibigan,” she said.
(If I feel betrayed? Actually, I don’t have any feelings. I don’t have feelings about it. If you notice, I don’t have a group of political friends. I don’t join circles, but I do associate with them. I don’t move in the circle of politicians. Friends, yes, but to say that I have a close personal relationship with them, I don’t. Maybe that’s why it’s so easy for them to decide about the impeachment, because there really isn’t anything worthwhile in our friendship.)
She said she has yet to talk to her friends at the Senate, which include Senator Imee Marcos, the sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who earlier said she will block the impeachment of the Vice President.
Duterte said her legal team has started preparing for the impeachment complaint against her since November 2023 when ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro brought it up.
While she has yet to read the complaints, Duterte said they are “overwhelmed” by the show of support of “many lawyers” who signified to help in the defense.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he will serve as a lawyer for her daughter.
The Vice President said while she welcomes her father’s pronouncement, she is also considering his old age.
“He is welcome, he is a lawyer. He is welcome to give his advice and input in the defense,” the Vice President said.
“He can be part of the defense team, but because of his age, and the rigorous preparations in an impeachment case. Baka sabihin ko sa kanya wag na lang siya mag-lead dahil may edad na si former president (I might tell the former president not to lead since he is already of age). He is already 80 years old this year,” she added.
VP Duterte said she sent a message to her father that “everything will be alright,” and he responded with a video of him singing “MacArthur’s Park.”
Amid the impeachment complaints she is currently facing, Duterte said she is not thinking of resigning and that she knows the consequences.
‘God save the Philippines’
In her opening statement, Duterte thanked her supporters who continue to pray for her.
“Ang tanging masasabi ko lamang sa puntong ito ay God Save the Philippines,” Duterte said.
(The only thing I can say at this point is, God save the Philippines.)
“Bukod dito, nais ko na lang ipaabot ang aking taos-pusong pasasalamat sa mga kababayan nating patuloy na nagdarasal, sumusuporta, nagtitiwala at nagmamahal sa akin. Manalig kayo dahil sa taumbayan ang tagumpay,” she added.
(Aside from this, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our fellow Filipinos who continue to pray, support, trust, and love me. Have faith, because victory belongs to the people.)
VP Duterte said the country’s condition continues to “worsen.”
“Napag-iwanan na tayo ng panahon at mga kapitbahay natin sa rehiyon at mundo… sobrang lala. Kung tatanungin mo ‘yung mga tao na arawan ang sweldo, ‘yung pera nila hindi na talaga sapat para sa pagkain, kuryente, bahay, tubig, pag-aaral ng kanilang mga anak. At kung ang basehan ‘yung pag-alis sa sarili nilang bansa sobrang malala kasi andaming umaalis para makipagsapalaran dahil wala silang makitang pag-asa at oportunidad dito sa ating bansa,” she said.
(We have been left behind by time and by our neighbors in the region and the world… it's really bad. If you ask the people who earn a daily wage, their money is no longer enough for food, electricity, housing, water, and their children's education. And if the basis is leaving their own country, it's even worse because so many are leaving to try their luck because they can't see hope or opportunities here in our country.)
“Nakakaawa na tayo dito sa loob at nakakahiya ang estado natin 'pag nilagay mo siya in a global stage kung saan pinapanood tayo ng ibang lahi at ibang bansa,” she added.
(We are pitiful here, and our situation is shameful when placed on a global stage, where we are being watched by people from other races and countries.)
VP Duterte was impeached by the House on February 5. The seven articles of impeachment were transmitted to the Senate hours later.
The Senate, however, did not discuss the matter before it went on a four-month break to give way to the upcoming May 2025 national and local elections.
It is expected to look into the impeachment complaints by June. (TPM/VoxPop Philippines)