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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Hindi na 'yan bababa sa pwesto': Duterte links rising political tensions to Charter Change push

'Hindi na 'yan bababa sa pwesto': Duterte links rising political tensions to Charter Change push

VP Sara says ICC cases, impeachment issues may signal moves to extend Marcos' political power through constitutional amendments

Published May 14, 2026 11:12 am

At A Glance

  • VP Sara linked ICC controversies and impeachment issues to a possible push for Charter Change
  • Duterte claimed constitutional amendments could allegedly lead to efforts to extend political power
  • The Vice President said her impeachment concerns are now being handled by her legal defense team
Vice President Sara Duterte accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of using recent political developments to pave the way for Charter Change in order to ‘extend’ his political powers. (MARK BALMORES / MANILA BULLETIN / FILE)
Vice President Sara Duterte accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of using recent political developments to pave the way for Charter Change in order to ‘extend’ his political powers. (MARK BALMORES / MANILA BULLETIN / FILE)
Vice President Sara Duterte warned that ongoing political developments involving the International Criminal Court (ICC), impeachment proceedings, and tensions within the government and the Senate could signal a broader push toward Charter Change, raising concerns over the country’s political direction amid escalating controversies.
In a video interview released by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Thursday, May 14, Duterte linked the controversies surrounding former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to what she described as a possible political agenda involving constitutional amendments.
“Una niyan, si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, sunod si Senator Bato at kung sino pa man ‘yung ibang mga sinali sa complaint kuno diyan sa ICC (First, that includes former president Rodrigo Duterte, then Senator Bato, and whoever else was added to the so-called complaint at the ICC),” Duterte said during an interview in The Hague on May 13.
The Vice President referenced previous remarks made by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarding discussions on constitutional amendments, claiming that recent developments may be connected to efforts to alter the country’s political structure.
“Ang sunod niyan ay Charter Change dahil hindi na naman made-deny ‘yan ni BBM kasi doon sa bago niyang interview sa Bloomberg, sinabi na niya doon na kailangan pag-usapan ang Charter Change (Next will be Charter Change, because President Marcos Jr. can no longer deny it — in his latest Bloomberg interview, he already said that Charter Change needs to be discussed),” she added.
Duterte further alleged that Charter Change discussions could lead to efforts aimed at extending political power.
“Pag pinag-usapan natin ang Charter Change, ibig sabihin niyan, hindi na ’yan bababa sa pwesto si BBM (When we talk about Charter Change, that means President Marcos Jr. will not step down from his position),” Duterte said.
“At ’yan din ang sinabi ni President Duterte kanina. Sabi niya, ‘Pilipinas, mag-ingat kayo kasi hindi na ’yan aalis sa pwesto niya’ (And that is also what President Duterte said earlier. He warned, ‘Philippines, be careful, because he will not leave his post’),” she added.
Impeachment issues
The Vice President also mentioned the impeachment complaint filed against her, saying it could be among the next major political developments amid the ongoing tensions.
“At ang sunod niyan ay ’yung impeachment ko (And after that will be my impeachment),” Duterte said.
Despite the impeachment issue, Duterte said her legal team is already handling the matter.
“We have a defense team, impeachment defense team, who takes care of the issues and concerns regarding the impeachment,” Duterte said. “So, I leave it up to the lawyers to do their work,” she added.
Duterte is currently in The Hague, where her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is facing legal proceedings before the ICC over allegations tied to his administration’s war on drugs campaign.
Malacañang earlier confirmed that the Office of the President approved Duterte’s revised foreign travel schedule from May 2 to 15. 

Related Tags

Sara Duterte impeachment Charter Change Philippines Marcos Charter Change ICC controversy Philippines Philippine politics
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