Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, June 2, raised concerns over what she described as the misuse of government institutions and public funds against political opposition, warning that such actions threaten the country’s democratic system.

In a video released by the Office of the Vice President (OVP), Duterte said Filipinos should be alarmed by what she described as the growing suppression of dissent and the use of state power to intimidate critics.

“Ang mga natutunghayan natin ngayon ay dapat ikabahala ng bawat Pilipinong naniniwala sa demokrasya, anuman ang kanilang paniniwala o kulay sa pulitika (What we are witnessing today should concern every Filipino who believes in democracy, regardless of their beliefs or political affiliations),” Duterte said.

Duterte claimed that instead of addressing pressing national concerns, government resources are allegedly being used to silence opposing voices.

“Nakikita natin kung paano ginagamit ang mga institusyon ng gobyerno at ang pera ng taumbayan laban sa anumang oposisyon (We see how government institutions and the people’s money are being used against any opposition),” Duterte said.

“Sa halip na tutukan ang mga tunay na suliraning kinakaharap ng ating mga kababayan, ginagamit ang kapangyarihan upang patahimikin ang mga boses ng mga hindi sumasang-ayon (Instead of focusing on the real problems faced by our citizens, power is being wielded to silence the voices of those who disagree),” she added.

Amid escalating political tensions, Duterte warned of what she described as growing threats to democracy, alleging that government institutions are being used to silence critics and weaken opposition voices.

“A democracy cannot survive when those in power see every critic as an enemy and every opposing voice as a threat,” she said.

Duterte also emphasized the importance of protecting the independence of democratic institutions, including the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the freedom of lawmakers to fulfill their constitutional duties without pressure or intimidation.

“I have always believed that the independence of our institutions must be protected,” Duterte stressed.

“This includes not only the Senate and the House of Representatives as institutions, but every senator and member of the House must be free to perform his or her constitutional duty according to conscience, free from threats, pressure, or any form of intimidation,” she added.

The Vice President also stressed that a functioning democracy requires a strong and healthy opposition capable of questioning government actions.

“Good governance does not require the elimination of opposition,” Duterte said.

“Democracy works best when there is a healthy opposition free to question government actions,” she added.

Emphasizing the importance of free expression and political opposition in a democratic society, Duterte warned that fear of dissent among those in power weakens democratic institutions.

“Democracy is not weakened by dissent,” she said, adding that it is “weakened when those in power become afraid of it.”

Duterte said a government that “fears dissent is not demonstrating strength” but revealing its “insecurity,” which she said is reflected in the country’s current direction.

She also pointed to what she described as three major concerns facing the country: alleged attempts to divert attention from issues surrounding the flood control controversy, the pursuit of a “politically motivated impeachment,” and renewed efforts toward Charter Change.

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“These are the symptoms of a government that has become more preoccupied with protecting power than serving the people,” she said.

Duterte again urged the government to focus on addressing national concerns instead of suppressing criticism.

“The Filipino people deserve a government focused on solving problems rather than silencing critics, strengthening institutions instead of bending them to political ends, and serving the nation rather than perpetuating power,” Duterte stressed.