Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Office of The Vice President in Mandaluyong City on December 11, 2024, after skipping on the same day a National Bureau of Investigation probe on her remarks of having President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assassinated should she be killed. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
DAVAO — Vice President Sara Duterte attended the Misa Pasasalamat Thanksgiving Mass ahead of the opening of the 2026 Kadayawan Festival at San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City on Thursday, August 6.
During an ambush interview with reporters, Duterte spoke about her recent visit to detained senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada, as well as former congressman Michael Defensor, at the Quezon City Jail, saying she sees nothing wrong with visiting persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
“Wala akong nakikitang masama sa pagbisita sa mga taong… tulad ni PRRD at iba pang mga nasa loob ng detention… kay Arnie Teves, Pastor Quiboloy, Pres. Duterte, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Mike Defensor. Kasi kilala ko naman sila. I think kaibigan ko sila, hindi ko lang alam kung kaibigan nila ako, pero sa tingin ko naman kaibigan ko sila. Dapat tayong magpakita ng empathy at sympathy sa mga tao na deprived of liberty,” she said.
“Ang sinabi ko lang sa kanila doon ay kung ano yung para sa bayan, yun ang gawin ninyo. Yun ang message ko sa kanila sa loob. Sabi ko, magpakatatag at kung ano yung para sa bayan, yun yung gawin ninyo,” she added.
Duterte also claimed that government officials who do not align themselves with the Palace are being harassed, threatened, and sued.
“It shows kung ano yung pinagkakaabalahan ng administrasyon ngayon, ng gobyerno ngayon, ang pinagkakaabalahan nila ay pulitika, dahil nakikita natin na may pattern na,” she said.
DUTERTE URGES CASTRO TO BE 'PROFESSIONAL'
The vice president also said Presidential Spokesperson Claire Castro should demonstrate professionalism in her public statements, saying she represents the Office of the President.
She made the remark when asked to comment on Castro's response to her earlier statement allegedly linking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the International Criminal Court, which Castro described as "nonsense" and "baseless."
Castro responds to Sara Duterte’s ‘no rift’ remark
“By the fact na spokesperson ka, at maryoong seal ng Office of the President diyan, dapat maging professional ka sa mga sinasabi mo. She doesn’t have the liberty na tulad sa atin, na pwedeng magsalita ng kahit anong iniisip natin at kahit anong opinyon natin, kasi nagsasalita tayo para sa sarili natin,” she said.
DUTERTE TO TEODORO: NAME 'PRO-CHINA' OFFICIALS
Meanwhile, the vice president said Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. should identify the officials he was referring to after he called on government officials allegedly defending China over the West Philippine Sea issue to resign from their posts.
“Siguro, para klaro sa lahat ng mga kababayan natin, dapat pangalanan kung sino yung mga officials na tinutukoy niya na nagde-defend sa China over the West Philippine Sea issue kasi hindi pwedeng magbitaw ka ng ganon na salita,” Duterte said in Davao City on Thursday.
“Hindi mo naman pangalanan yung mga opisyal, at siyempre, suspek kahit ang presidente natin, kasali sa suspek doon kasi walang pangalan, walang listahan ng pangalan,” she added.
DUTERTE ON BATO 'ARREST'
Duterte also commented on the Palace's statement that the rumored arrest of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa was allegedly being used to divert attention from the ongoing impeachment trial.
“I don’t think kailangan guluhin ang impeachment. Napakaklaro naman yung ‘bending the law’ diyan sa impeachment na yan simula pa sa House of Representatives hanggang sa pagkakaroon ng dalawang tao na nakaupo doon sa… stage or rostrum, or elevated platform. Hindi na kailangan guluhin ang impeachment dahil magulo na siya sa ‘bending the law’,” she said.
DILG denies supposed Dela Rosa arrest; Palace accuses Duterte allies of ‘diversionary tactic’
The vice president also expressed appreciation for the lawyers handling her impeachment case.
“Nagpapasalamat lang talaga ako dahil mayroong mga abugado na tinanggap ang aking kaso, and they are diligent and passionate enough to defend me,” she said.
DUTERTE: GOV’T SHOULD ADDRESS FLOODING ACROSS THE PHILIPPINES
Duterte also said the government should focus on addressing flooding across the country, not only in Davao City.
“Dapat tutukan ng gobyerno ang baha sa lahat ng lugar ng Pilipinas, hindi lang sa Davao City, dahil mayroon ding baha sa Ilocos, sa Pampanga, sa Bulacan,” she said.
She also welcomed reports that Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Nicolas Torre III may run for mayor of Davao City.
“Everyone of course, in a democratic country, lahat ay allowed at welcome na mag-file ng kanilang certificate of candidacy at tumakbo sa eleksyon,” she said.
DUTERTE ON TRUMP AND THE ICC
Duterte also commented on U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC). “Definitely, pwedeng gamitin ng Estados Unidos na example yung kaso ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa pagiging isang biased political organization ng ICC at not really a court of justice,” she said.
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