At the top echelon of political power in the country, Vice President Sara Duterte stands as the highest woman official. And if current survey results are to be believed, she could become the Philippines’ third woman president by May 2028.
Inday Sara, as her family and legions of fans call her, is no stranger to being a rose among the thorns. She grew up in the male-dominated Duterte household, in the shadows of her father— former President Rodrigo Duterte – and her tough-talking two brothers—Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte.
She was propelled to political stardom, becoming her father’s appointed successor both in local and national politics. She was the mayor of Davao City from 2016 to 2022, and from 2010 to 2013. She was also Davao City's vice mayor from 2007 to 2010. When she won as vice president, her more than 32 million votes were higher than President Marcos’, proof of her undeniable pull among Filipino voters.
Women’s Day message
The vice president has always been vocal of her support for women empowerment and for this year’s International Women’s Day, she underscored the importance of ensuring that opportunities remain open to women.
“Para sa atin, dapat ay laging may puwang, oportunidad, o kalayaan ang mga kababaihan para magpasya at ipakita ang kanilang kakayahan, dunong, lakas, at mga taglay na katangiang mahalaga sa ating buhay (For us, women should always have space, opportunity, and freedom to decide and show their capacity, intelligence, strength and their skills),” Duterte said.
In a message for Women’s Day during the 2024 Town Fiesta and 26th Kalanguya Festival in Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya, Inday Sara once again reminded women of the impact they have in their communities.
“Sa aking mensahe, sinabi ko na huwag kalimutan ang mahalagang papel na ginagampanan ng mga kababaihan sa lahat ng aspeto ng ating buhay, sa ating mga tahanan, trabaho at komunidad (In my message, I told them not to forget the important role that women play in all aspects of our lives, in our homes, jobs, and communities),” she said in a Facebook post.
“Ipinaalala ko rin na importante na maging masipag at matatag upang kayanin ang mga pinagdadaanang mga problema sa buhay (I also reminded them of the importance of being industrious and firm to survive the problems in life),” she added.
Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day
This government official is also known for the “Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day (MTD)” project, a program she started when she was still mayor and eventually implemented nationwide when she became vice president.
The MTD is aimed at helping women and members of the LGBTQ community achieve financial independence and economic resilience by providing grants and training to help beneficiaries venture into livestock, sari-sari stores, goat dispersal, native chicken, and mini-meat processing.
In speaking about the program, the vice president spoke highly of what it was able to achieve.
“Nakita ko kasi kung paano nito binago ang maraming buhay ng mga kababaihan sa Davao City noong mayor pa ako (I saw how it changed many lives of women in Davao City when I was still mayor),” she had said.
‘Libreng Sakay’ program
Early this March, the OVP announced that Duterte’s “Peak Hours Augmentation Bus Service (PHABS) - Libreng Sakay” program has already served its one millionth passenger. The Libreng Sakay program in Metro Manila, Cebu City, Lapu-lapu, Mandaue, Bacolod, and Davao City aims to help alleviate the mobility concerns of thousands of Filipino commuters living in key cities of the country.
Since 2022, seven buses—one in Bacolod, Cebu, and Davao, and four in Metro Manila—have been offering the service.
As of March 4, it has served 1,003,968 Filipinos—663,629 in Metro Manila, 137,455 in Cebu, 123,058 in Bacolod, and 79,455 in Davao.
“Ang ating determinasyon, pagpupunyagi, at pagsisikap ay nakatali sa hangarin na makapagsilbi pa sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino saanmang sulok ng bansa (Our determination, effort, and hard work are tied to our desire to serve our fellow Filipinos all over the country),” her office said.
Duterte’s understanding of the struggles of women—as she often joked about the pains of being a wife, the responsibilities of motherhood, and the need to uplift one’s self—allows her to build programs aimed to improve their status.
Despite being targeted by what she called a “demolition job” because of her position, she continues to top surveys, draw crowds during her public appearances, and become the savior of her family’s political legacy.