Vice President Sara Duterte said vindictiveness has never defined her leadership style, emphasizing that she would not pursue retribution against political opponents if elected president in 2028.
In an interview with SMNI, Duterte was asked whether she would go after her rivals should she win the presidency.
“Kung makikita n’yo sa governance ko, noong ako ay mayor ng Davao City, tumanggap din ako ng sobrang katakot-takot na banat mula sa naging katunggali ko… Pero noong ako ay umupo, tapos na ‘yun lahat,” she explained.
She recalled facing resistance during her tenure as Davao City mayor, including opposition to her choice of City Administrator, but said she chose not to retaliate.
“Ang dami nilang pahirap na ginawa sa akin pero pinabayaan ko lang.”
Duterte also pointed to her current post, noting that many employees at the Office of the Vice President were appointed by former Vice President Leni Robredo, yet she did not remove them from their positions.
“Wala sa history ko ang gumaganti… Kung gusto nilang tumuloy, welcome sila na magtrabaho. Kung ayaw na nila, welcome din silang mag-resign,” she said.
She added that upon assuming office, she refrained from criticizing Robredo’s record, choosing instead to recognize the legacies of previous vice presidents.
“Hindi, wala sa ugali ko ‘yun sa pagtatrabaho,” Duterte emphasized.