Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday expressed confidence that she would not be implicated in the ongoing flood control controversy, emphasizing that neither her office nor the Department of Education during her tenure as secretary, was involved in any flood control projects.
“Sigurado ako hindi aabot sakin ang flood control scandal kasi unang-una, wala namang flood controls project sa OVP at sa Department of Education,” the vice president said.
Duterte noted that former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and government contractors could attest she had no dealings with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Duterte, however, acknowledged that there may be efforts to implicate her through Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, who is under scrutiny for his alleged connection to contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya.
“Doon siguro nila gagawan ng kwento ‘yun yung part na ako, si PRRD sa gitna, at si Sen. Bong Go sa kabilang side,” she said.
She also questioned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s confidence that the corruption probe would not implicate the Office of the President.
“So, ibig sabihin siguro alam na niya kung ano ‘yung kalalabasan ng inquiry o imbestigasyon kasi wala namang ibang explanation kung bakit ang confident mo sa mangyayari bukas,” she noted.
Meanwhile, Duterte denied that any destabilization plot was underway, saying it was the administration that was promoting such a narrative.
Walang nagsasabi na ‘Oust Marcos’. Ang meron lang, merong mga grupo na nagsasabi ‘resign’. At nagtataka ako sa administrasyon bakit nila sinasabi na destabilisasyon ang pagpapahayag ng mga tao sa galit nila? Kasi hindi ‘yun destabilisasyon. ‘Yun ay freedom of speech and expression,” she also said.
Her remarks came after Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. revealed that he had rejected calls from retired and active officers to “intervene” following the September 21 protests.
Duterte’s statement contrasts with her father’s administration, which often branded critics as destabilizers and warned of alleged plots to overthrow the government.
