“Didn’t they say I was the dictator?”
This was what Vice President Sara Duterte had to say on Thursday, Feb. 27, after she was asked about her father’s remark that President Marcos is veering toward dictatorship just like former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
(From left) Vice President Sara Duterte and former president Rodrigo Duterte at the “Pahalipay sa Pasko,” an annual gift-giving activity in their hometown of Davao City. (Photo from FPRRD Supporters via Facebook)
“Ah, hindi ba ako ang diktador? Sabi ng mga... sabi nila ako ang diktador (Aren’t I the dictator? They said… they said I am a dictator),” she said in an interview in Cebu City without naming anyone.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte last weekend claimed that President Marcos might not step down when his term ends in 2028 and that he might impose martial law like his father to extend his stay in power.
Marcos and Duterte won as a tandem in the 2022 elections but had a falling out and engaged in a word war, with the Vice President even admitting to hiring an assassin to kill the First Couple if she herself gets assassinated.
This, among other things, including her confidential funds use, became the basis of the impeachment case filed against her at the House of Representatives.
She was impeached by the lower house on Feb. 5, with the Articles of Impeachment transmitted to the Senate on the same day.
The Senate, however, is expected to convene as an impeachment court not until July 2025.
But the Vice President doesn’t let this bother her, saying that the truth is with her.
“Ang importante talaga niyan, ang paniniwala mo sa iyong sarili, ang pananalig mo sa katotohanan, at ang iyong pananalig at paghugot ng lakas sa mga tao (The important thing is your belief in yourself, you stand by the truth, and your faith and drawing strength from the people),” she answered when asked about her secret to staying beautiful despite the issues hurled at her.