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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP Sara decries 'grave abuse of power' amid Senate, ICC tensions

VP Sara decries 'grave abuse of power' amid Senate, ICC tensions

Duterte accuses Marcos administration of using government resources to 'demolish' opposition

Published May 14, 2026 09:22 am

At A Glance

  • VP Sara Duterte accused the Marcos administration of "grave abuse of power" amid political tensions involving Senator Bato dela Rosa and the ICC issue
  • Duterte alleged that government resources were being used against political opponents instead of focusing on economic reforms and recovery
  • The Vice President is currently in The Hague as former President Rodrigo Duterte faces ICC-related legal proceedings tied to the war on drugs
Vice President Sara Duterte, during an interview in The Hague, criticized the Marcos administration over political tensions and developments related to the International Criminal Court. (Screengrab: OVP video)
Vice President Sara Duterte, during an interview in The Hague, criticized the Marcos administration over political tensions and developments related to the International Criminal Court. (Screengrab: OVP video)
Vice President Sara Duterte accused the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of committing “grave abuse of power” amid ongoing political tensions involving Senator Ronald dela Rosa and issues linked to the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation.
In a video interview released by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Thursday, May 14, Duterte criticized what she described as the alleged use of government resources against political opponents and individuals not aligned with the administration.
“What you are witnessing sa bayan natin (in our country) is grave abuse of power,” Duterte said during an interview conducted in The Hague on May 13.
Duterte said the administration should instead prioritize economic recovery and reforms rather than political conflicts.
“The President should focus on economic recovery and reforms, not on politics,” Duterte said. “So what we are seeing now is the administration using all government resources to demolish the political opposition or those individuals who do not follow, agree with, or support BBM [Bongbong Marcos],” she added.
ICC-related issues
The Vice President also discussed developments concerning former President Rodrigo Duterte and dela Rosa in relation to the ICC issue.
According to Duterte, her father remained informed about developments in the Philippines and was reportedly watching news coverage while staying in The Hague.
"Apparently, nakita niya pala sa balita. Wala naman akong plano kanina nabanggitin sa kanya ‘yung pangyayari sa Pilipinas. Pero lumabas sa news at nakita niya pala sa kanyang TV (He saw it on the news. I didn’t have any plan earlier to mention to him what happened in the Philippines. But it came out in the news and he saw it on his TV)," she said. 
Duterte further claimed that political tensions in the country had intensified because of actions taken by the current administration.
The interview came following the tension in the Senate on May 13, amid continuing debates over the ICC investigation into the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign and the growing political divide between allies of the Duterte family and the Marcos administration.
Duterte is currently in the Netherlands, while former President Rodrigo Duterte faces legal proceedings before the ICC over allegations tied to his administration’s war on drugs.
Earlier, Malacañang confirmed that the Office of the President approved Duterte’s revised foreign travel schedule from May 2 to 15.
The approved itinerary includes visits to the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom. A Palace official said the travel authority was issued on April 28 following Duterte’s request to revise her original travel dates and itinerary. 

Related Tags

Sara Duterte Bato dela Rosa ICC Philippines Marcos administration Senate tensions
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