"Do my actions serve our people and benefit the country that we all love?"

This was the standard put up by Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero as he urged Vice President Sara Duterte to review and assess her recent actions and words in order to determine whether or not she has done well.

The Senate leader says he believes that, as public servants, their actions should always be guided by this fundamental question.

Duterte cursed President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez as she held a press conference at the House of Representatives.

She also disclosed that she has already made arrangements to target the three in case she gets assassinated.

Escudero said these statements were "deeply concerning" as they were inappropriate for an official occupying the second highest office of the land. 

He says that Duterte should keep in mind that as a public official, she has a duty to set an example for the personnel in the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and fellow Filipinos, especially the children.

He added that while everyone has the right to feel anger and frustration--which often result in painful and hurtful language--civil servants such as them do not have this luxury, as their code of conduct requires all public officials and employees to “perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill".

"The Vice President and her allies must also consider how her actions have contributed to rising tensions. I call on all parties involved to de-escalate the situation to prevent further harm to the safety, health, and well-being of everyone involved," he said.

Escudero also urged those who are close to Duterte—those who truly care about her as a person and as a leader—to advise her to refrain from making such indecorous and possibly criminal statements in public. He stated that these do not benefit the Vice President, her office, or the country.

"If she is struggling, I sincerely hope she seeks and is provided with the help she may need so she can regain calm and composure, and properly discharge her duties as Vice President," he said.

He noted that the government has urgent and pressing concerns it must address—matters that directly affect the lives and livelihoods of the Filipino people. It is imperative that, as public officials, they should focus their energy and attention on resolving these issues.

"Dealing with the erratic and troubling behavior of a high-ranking official needlessly distracts us from attending to the urgent needs of the nation," Escudero said.

"Let us all strive to have prudence, reason and dignity in our words and actions for the good of the nation and the people we are duty-bound serve," he added.