No more cursing: VP Sara prays for Pope Francis during Manila campaign sortie
Vice President Sara Duterte’s speech during a campaign rally in Sta. Ana, Manila was devoid of the usual swear words, in deference to Pope Francis, who died earlier in the week and was laid to rest on Saturday, April 26.

Vice President Sara Duterte offers a prayer for the eternal repose of Pope Francis during a campaign sortie in Manila on Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Screengrab from OVP video)
“Kaya hindi ako magmumura ngayon. Gagamitan ko po kayo ng pagdarasal (I will not say bad words today. I will use prayers on you instead),” she told the crowd during Manila mayoralty candidate Isko Moreno’s campaign sortie on Saturday night.
“Unahin po natin ang pagdarasal sa kaluluwa ni Pope Francis dahil namatay po ang ating pope at kailangan natin magdasal (Let us first pray for the soul of Pope Francis because our pope died and we need to pray),” Duterte said.
The pontiff died on Easter Monday due to stroke and heart failure. His burial procession started from the St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in the heart of Rome began until he was later laid to rest on Saturday.
“Lord, we pray for the eternal repose of the soul of our beloved Pope Francis. May you grant him eternal rest beside you, oh Lord. Amen,” Duterte prayed.
“Hindi po ako magmumura. Magdadasal po ako ngayon gabi (I will not curse. I will pray tonight),” she emphasized.
Pope Francis led the Catholic Church for 12 years, visiting the Philippines once in January 2015, causing a monstrous traffic jam that trapped Duterte’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, in traffic.
The then Davao City mayor cursed the pontiff, telling a mob of supporters, “I wanted to call. 'Pope, you son of a bitch, go home.' Don't visit here anymore.”
On Saturday night, the Vice President may have been true to her promise not to spew expletives, but did not spare Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante from insults.
In back-to-back campaigns on Thursday and Friday, Duterte also attacked Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, respectively.
In separate capacities, the three lawmakers have led and backed the inquiry into the confidential funds use of the Vice President that resulted in her impeachment by the House of Representatives in February.
Valeriano, Chua, and Abante all voted to impeach her.