Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday expressed concern over what she described as the use of government institutions and public resources against political opposition, warning that such actions could undermine democratic principles in the country.
In a public statement, Duterte said recent developments should concern all Filipinos who believe in democracy, regardless of political affiliation.
“Ang mga natutunghayan natin ngayon ay dapat ikabahala ng bawat Pilipinong naniniwala sa demokrasya, anuman ang kanilang paniniwala o kulay sa pulitika,” she said.
The vice president claimed that government institutions and public funds are being used against opposition figures instead of addressing pressing issues facing the public.
“Nakikita natin kung paano ginagamit ang mga institusyon ng gobyerno at ang pera ng taumbayan laban sa anumang oposisyon. Sa halip na tutukan ang mga tunay na suliraning kinakaharap ng ating mga kababayan, ginagamit ang kapangyarihan upang patahimikin ang mga boses ng mga hindi sumasang-ayon,” Duterte said.
She stressed the importance of protecting the independence of democratic institutions and ensuring that elected officials are free to carry out their constitutional duties without interference.
“I have always believed that the independence of our institutions must be protected. This includes not only the Senate and the House of Representatives as institutions, but every senator and member of the House must be free to perform his or her constitutional duty according to conscience, free from threats, pressure, or any form of intimidation,” she said.
Duterte’s statement came a day after Sen. Jinggoy Estrada surrendered to authorities following the issuance of a warrant for his arrest by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division over plunder and graft charges linked to the flood control projects controversy.
Speaking to Senate reporters before his detention, Estrada said he would face the charges “head-on” and claimed he had been offered the dismissal of his cases in exchange for leaving the 13-member majority bloc led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
“But I did not accept,” he said. “My conviction to remain with my colleagues in the Independent Majority Bloc prevailed.”
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, also a member of the majority bloc, is facing plunder and indirect bribery complaints filed by the Office of the Ombudsman, fueling speculation that he could be the next senator to face an arrest warrant.
Meanwhile, Duterte defended the role of the opposition in a democratic system, arguing that dissent and scrutiny are necessary components of good governance.
“Good governance does not require the elimination of opposition. Democracy works best when there is a healthy opposition that is free to question,” she said.
The vice president warned that a government that views critics as enemies risks weakening democratic institutions.
“A democracy cannot survive when those in power see every critic as an enemy and every opposing voice as a threat,” she said.
She further argued that the country’s current political situation reflects deeper concerns about governance and priorities.
“The current state of our nation reveals three disturbing realities: first, the effort to divert attention from legitimate questions surrounding the flood control controversy; second, the willingness to disregard constitutional safeguards in pursuit of a politically motivated impeachment; and third, the relentless pursuit of greater political power under the guise of Charter Change,” Duterte said.
“These are the symptoms of a government that has become more preoccupied with protecting power than serving the people,” she added.
Duterte said Filipinos deserve a government focused on addressing public concerns, strengthening institutions, and serving the national interest.
“The Filipino people deserve a government focused on solving problems, not silencing critics; on strengthening institutions, not bending them to political ends; and on serving the nation, not perpetuating power,” she said.
The vice president emphasized that criticism and dissent should not be viewed as threats to democracy.
“Democracy is not weakened by dissent. Democracy is weakened when those in power become afraid of it,” Duterte said.
