Vice President Sara Duterte revisited what she described as the attacks she endured from the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., saying these stemmed from her refusal to join in deceiving the Filipino public.
In a video statement released Monday, November 17, Duterte said she understands the public outrage over corruption allegations tied to the flood control scandal—claims that have shaken confidence in the administration.
She recalled her time as Education Secretary, saying she witnessed first-hand how the agency’s budget was allegedly manipulated.
“Nauunawaan ko ang galit ng taong bayan dahil nasaksihan ko mismo kung paano minanipula ng House of Representatives ang budget ng Department of Education,” she said.
According to Duterte, lawmakers diverted funds intended to address classroom shortages.
“Sa halip na sundin ang listahan ng DepEd upang matugunan ang malalang kakulangan sa classrooms, mistulang ginawang pork barrel ang pondong nakalaan para sa kabataang Pilipino at pinaghati-hatian ng mga kongresistang malapit sa mga makapangyarihan,” she said.
She added that she absorbed political attacks—including impeachment attempts—after resigning from DepEd, claiming the administration used these to cover up alleged anomalies in the 2025 national budget.
“Pinili kong huwag sumali sa pangggg* sa taong bayan… ininda ko ang kaliwa’t-kanan na atake, kasama na ang impeachment, para lamang mapagtakpan nila ang katiwalian sa 2025 budget,” Duterte said.
The Vice President said she stands with Filipinos demanding clarity on accusations linking President Marcos to alleged budget insertions exposed by former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co.
“The President now faces a profound crisis of confidence… We also seek clear answers on how a budget that deprived Filipinos of billions and billions of pesos was approved under his watch,” she said.
“Kaisa ako ng milyong-milyong Pilipinong nadismaya at nandidiri sa pamahalaang lulong sa insekuridad at walang kabusugang kasakiman,” Duterte declared.