Vice President Sara Duterte has dismissed the impeachment complaints filed against her by the House of Representatives as completely manufactured, while expressing gratitude to the loyal base shielding her from the brewing political storm.
Speaking in an interview from The Hague, Netherlands, on May 5, Duterte voiced appreciation for the political organizers and citizens who have sustained their support across multiple election cycles.
“Nagpapasalamat ako dahil noong ako ay nag-announce na tatakbo akong Pangulo, marami lahat ng mga supporters galing 2016, 2019, 2022, nandyan pa rin sila lahat na solid na naniniwala at nagtitiwala… so yun ‘yung unang pagpapasalamat ko,” she said.
The Vice President also acknowledged the public demonstrations and rallies staged by her followers to protest the congressional moves to unseat her.
“Yung pangalawang pagpapasalamat ko ay ‘yung kanilang suporta sa akin ngayon na humaharap sa impeachment na gawa-gawa ng House of Representatives,” she said.
Duterte revealed she had discussed her predicament with her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, noting that they both view the political trial through the lens of faith and destiny.
“Pero base din sa discussion namin kanina ni Pangulong Duterte, lahat ng mga nangyayari sa buhay ng isang tao ay sinulat yan ng Diyos so kung ma-impeach ako, yan ay sinulat na ng Diyos [o] hindi man ako ma-impeach,” Duterte said.
The Vice President traveled to the Netherlands to visit the elder Duterte, who is currently detained while facing trial for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Looking ahead to the 2028 presidential elections, the Vice President lamented the hostile nature of local governance, describing the political landscape as inherently manipulative.
“Unang-una kasi sa politika, ganyan talaga yan… madumi talaga ang politika,” Duterte said.
She pointed out that the aggressive political maneuvers against her are intensifying because strategists already view her as a frontrunner for the next presidential race, prompting rivals to destroy her reputation to elevate their own standing.
“You paint your enemy black so that you appear white,” she said, quoting a political philosophy previously shared by her father during his time in Davao City.