Vice President Sara Duterte is not keen to endorse anyone seeking government positions right now because she is focused on defending the Office of the Vice President (OVP), which has been under attack for alleged misused public funds.
Vice President Sara Duterte during a press conference in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (Raymund Antonio/MANILA BULLETIN)
Duterte made this remark during a press conference on Wednesday, Sept. 25, where she also answered issues surrounding her and the OVP.
“Right now, hindi ako handa na sumama kahit kanino man because kailangan ko munang ayusin at ipagtanggol ang (I am not ready to join anyone because I need to fix and defend the) Office of the Vice President,” she said, adding that she believes it is her “primary duty” to stand by her office.
“Nandun tayo (I’m here) to protect the Office of the Vice President na isa sa mga duties ng (which is one of the duties of the) vice president.”
However, the official expressed hope that she would have the time to campaign by February next year.
“So, nakatutok lahat ng effort ko doon pero (all my efforts are focused there [defending the OVP] but) we will see,” she said.
“Malayo pa naman iyong kampanya, February pa siya magsisimula. Tingnan natin baka pagdating ng February ano na medyo maluwag na and pwede na ako mangampanya (It’s still a long way from the campaign, it will start in February. Let’s see by February if things are better and I can already campaign),” Duterte added.
The OVP is under fire as its proposed 2025 budget of P2.037 billion hang in a balance before Congress after the Vice President refused to defend it during the House committee hearings and did not attend the plenary deliberations.
The official deferred the OVP’s budget to the House of Representatives, insisting that only two lawmakers—House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Appropriations committee head Rep. Elizaldy Co—have the final say on budget approvals.
The OVP, as well as the Department of Education (DepEd) that Duterte previously headed, is now also the subject of the House good government committee hearing on alleged misused funds.