Vice President Sara Duterte recently expressed her disappointment with the nation’s “grim” condition, blaming it on the inadequate leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
It wasn’t anything unusual really. In October 2024, she referred to her former UniTeam colleague as "Mr. Deception" and rated his performance at just 1 out of 10, stating that Marcos “isn't fit for presidency."
During a media interview on June 22, the former vice president stated that she would skip President Marcos' fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), which was scheduled for July 28. She felt that the head of state wouldn’t offer "anything substantive regarding our country."
She mentioned it would be ideal to dedicate her time engaging with the Filipino community to talk about "how we can contribute to our nation and enhance it."
After she missed President Marcos' State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2024—over a month since stepping down from her role as education secretary—the vice president claimed for herself the title "designated survivor." This statement was referenced by members of the House of Representatives during their impeachment proceedings against her earlier this year, where they accused her of attempting to destabilize the administration.
"The condition of our country is bleak. This saddens me, and as an individual, it also frustrates me," Duterte stated during an interview on June 22 while in Melbourne, Australia. She had traveled there for a "Free Duterte Now" event and encouraged her Filipino followers to inform the Australian government about the effort to have her father, ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, arrested.
Even as she portrays the condition of the country negatively through her addresses both domestically and internationally, the vice president may have overlooked, possibly intentionally, that she still holds an office within the administration. She is actually the second most senior figure in the presidential cabinet, having pledged to "carry out my responsibilities with loyalty and diligence," "uphold and protect" the Constitution, "implement its statutes," ensure fairness for all citizens, and dedicate herself fully to serving our nation.
Multiple times, Duterte has acknowledged that high costs of living, poverty, crime, and joblessness continue to be the major issues Filipinos face. However, what measures has she taken to address these concerns?
The Office of the Vice President will still receive a budget of PHP 733 million for 2025, similar to what their predecessor had. Although this sum falls short of the PHP 2.037 billion requested by Duterte, it remains sufficient to bring significant improvements into the lives of underprivileged Filipinos, much as the former vice president managed to do.
It is rather repulsive to witness and listen to the vice president either launching tirades against the government or attempting to appear charming through her comments and gestures to win over her listeners. She often speaks off-the-cuff, frequently rambling, using hollow phrases devoid of practical remedies for issues.
During a media interview on June 25, she expressed regret over the nation having "present leaders who lack intellectual capability," clearly targeting Marcos. This comment came after Marcos was quoted as saying that the Middle Eastern conflict did not significantly impact the Philippine economy.
Even though she described the bleak condition of the economy, the vice president remains hopeful for the Philippines’ future, believing that continued aspirations from Filipinos can lead to a greater nation, potentially even making it a "superpower."
It seems like this could be part of a political address made several years before the upcoming presidential elections. Assuming Sara Duterte does become president in 2028, what steps would she take to improve conditions? This echoes past sentiments; remember how numerous Filipinos trusted her father’s promises to eliminate crime, eradicate corruption, and wipe out illegal drugs within three to six months. Yet after six years, even with the deaths of countless alleged criminals involved in drug activities, he claimed that solving these issues completely might require more than one lifetime.
Despite accusations of incompetence, poor leadership, and corruption aimed at the Marcos administration, conditions appear more positive now compared to President Rodrigo Duterte’s tenure. However, ever since she parted ways with the UniTeam due to not getting desired benefits and advantages, the vice president has been diligently trying to discredit the Marcos government. Her aim is to position herself as an alternate choice, bolstered by strong public approval ratings.
It’s uncertain how she has aided in building up the nation. However, it is undeniable that she has played a significant role in undermining the government, causing rifts amongst the populace, and disseminating false information.
Whenever the vice president criticizes her critics and political adversaries, similar accusations—or potentially worse—could be levied against her, her family, and their team. The adage "When you point a finger at someone else, four fingers turn back toward you" holds true for her, regardless of whether her comments were meant as lighthearted jests.