Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday said she has no intention of taking over the presidency, rejecting calls from some retired military officers and groups urging her to lead a People Power movement against the administration.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 128th Independence Day celebration at Rizal Park in Davao City, Duterte emphasized that she remains committed to her constitutional duties as vice president and will not support efforts to remove President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through extra-constitutional means.
Responding to appeals for her to spearhead a People Power movement, Duterte said her oath of office obliges her to uphold and defend the Constitution.
“Ako, I am the constitutional successor. I am the next in line ayon sa ating Constitution. At meron akong sinumpaan noong ako ay nag-assume ng office of the Vice President, at nakalagay doon that I will preserve and defend the Constitution. So, wala sa aking mga kamay ang pagsasagawa ng extra-constitutional means to overthrow the current administration. At hindi ko rin gusto ‘yun,” Duterte said.
She also made it clear that she does not seek to replace Marcos before the end of his term.
“Hindi ko gusto agawin ‘yung posisyon ni Bongbong Marcos. Gusto ko makita ng taong bayan hanggang sa dulo kung gaano ka-walang hiya si BBM,” she added.
The vice president’s remarks came amid continuing political tensions and discussions surrounding alleged destabilization efforts against the administration.
Asked for her message to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Filipino people on Independence Day, Duterte said threats to freedom and sovereignty do not come solely from foreign forces.
“Ang mensahe ko sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan, ‘yung mensahe ko kanina. Sinabi ko sa aking speech, ang kalayaan natin at ang soberanya natin, hindi siya nawawala sa mga foreign invaders lamang. Hindi siya sa pagsakop lamang ng mga foreign invaders,” she said.
Duterte added that corruption among public officials can also undermine the nation’s freedom.
“Nawawala din siya kapag ‘yung mga matataas na opisyal ng ating pamahalaan, kasama na ang Pangulo, ay mala-sindikato sa pagnanakaw ng pera ng bayan. Sinabi ko nga kanina, di ba, every peso that is stolen is pagkawala ng dignidad ng bawat tao,” she said.
The vice president attended Independence Day activities in Davao City, where she reiterated the importance of protecting the country’s sovereignty and holding public officials accountable.
