During a gathering with overseas Filipino workers and supporters on May 5 in The Hague, Vice President Sara Duterte openly questioned the victory of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the 2022 elections.
Duterte accused her former running mate of deceiving the public regarding his governance plans and leadership capabilities while highlighting the country’s declining economic situation under his leadership.
Reflecting on the ongoing public bewilderment regarding the election results, Duterte remarked,
“That is the question by [sic] everyone,” further noting in Filipino that people remain puzzled as to how his victory came to be.
Marcos assumed office as the 17th President of the Philippines after garnering over 31 million votes, representing approximately 58.8% of the total electorate.
Despite their previous political alliance, Duterte asserted,
“Pero para sa akin, nagsinungaling talaga siya sa kanyang gusto gawin para sa bayan at sa kanyang mga kapasidad na maging Pangulo.”
Turning her attention to the domestic economy, the Vice President condemned the current administration for failing to buffer ordinary citizens against soaring fuel costs, inflation, and a depreciating peso.
Describing the situation as a “triple whammy,” Duterte expressed deep concern for the country’s most vulnerable sectors.
“Sa akin lang, kung hindi man kaya tulungan ng administration, ng gobyerno, lahat, dapat tulungan nila ‘yung mga pinaka nasa ilalim, na hindi na talaga nila makaya kahit man lang ‘yung simpleng pagbili ng pagkain,” she said.
Duterte warned that absolute destitution could drive desperate citizens toward desperation, stating,
“Kasi ang problema kasi kapag ‘yung mga walang-wala, wala din silang mapuntahan, wala silang recourse. Ang kinakatakutan natin, they will resort to crime and violence, na ayaw natin na mangyari.”
She also lamented the compounding effect of currency pressures on daily living expenses, adding,
“Kawawa talaga, lalo na pati ‘yung consumption natin ng mga important goods kasi ibig sabihin nun, pagbili natin mahal na siya,” and observed that “So pagpasok niya lalo siyang magmahal at marami sa ating mga goods are imported.”
Malacañang has not yet released an official response to the Vice President’s criticisms.