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VP Sara calls for unity amid political tensions in the Philippines

Duterte calls on Filipinos to unite and focus on justice, order, peace, and progress amid ongoing political tensions in the country

Published May 13, 2026 11:46 am

At A Glance

  • VP Sara Duterte urged Filipinos to unite and focus on justice, order, peace, and progress
  • Duterte expressed sadness over political divisions and said personal interests are affecting national unity
  • The Vice President made the remarks while in The Hague amid ICC proceedings involving former President Rodrigo Duterte
Vice President Sara Duterte called on Filipinos to unite for justice, peace, order, and progress amid growing political tensions in the country. (Manila Bulletin/file)
Vice President Sara Duterte called on Filipinos to unite for justice, peace, order, and progress amid growing political tensions in the country. (Manila Bulletin/file)
Vice President Sara Duterte called on Filipinos to unite and focus on justice, order, peace, and progress amid ongoing political tensions in the country.
In a video interview released by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Wednesday, May 13, Duterte shared a message to the Filipino community amid political controversies that continue to dominate national discussions.
“Magkaisa sila… dapat magkaisa ang ating bansa para sa katarungan, sa kaayusan, sa kapayapaan at sa kaunlaran (They must unite… our nation must stand together for justice, order, peace, and progress),” Duterte said in an interview in The Hague, Netherlands, on May 12.
The Vice President emphasized that the country should move in one direction.
“So, dapat iisa lang ‘yung direction natin, at dapat doon sa apat na ‘K’ na ‘yun tayo papunta—kaayusan, katarungan, kapayapaan, at kaunlaran (We should move in one direction, guided by these four ‘K’ as pillars—order, justice, peace, and progress),” she added.
Growing political division
Meanwhile, Duterte expressed sadness over what she described as growing political division in the country, saying personal political interests are taking priority over the welfare of ordinary Filipinos.
“Nalulungkot ako dahil inuuna ‘yung mga personal na interest ng iba't ibang mga politiko (I am saddened because various politicians are prioritizing their personal interests),” Duterte said.
She added that many Filipinos continue to struggle while political conflicts dominate national discussions.
“Nalulungkot ako dahil napapabayaan ‘yung mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan ng tulong sa panahon ngayon ng paghihirap (I am saddened because our fellow citizens in need of help are being neglected during these difficult times),” she added.
Duterte also lamented the growing division among Filipinos.
“At nakakalungkot na mula sa pagiging magkaisa na bayan ay nagkawatak-watak tayo dahil sa personal na interest ng mga politiko (And it is disheartening that from being a united nation, we have become divided because of the personal interests of politicians),” she added.
The Vice President is currently in the Netherlands as her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, faces proceedings before the International Criminal Court over allegations linked to his administration’s war on drugs.
During the interview, Duterte also said the former president remains in good spirits and that their conversations mainly focused on family matters and their children.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2026/05/13/prrd-in-good-spirits-amid-icc-proceedings-vp-sara
Malacañang earlier announced that the Office of the President approved Duterte’s revised foreign travel schedule from May 2 to 15. The travel authority covers visits to the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

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Sara Duterte unity message VP Sara Duterte latest news Sara Duterte political division Sara Duterte The Hague Philippine political news
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