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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP Sara says EDSA crowd reflects growing public discontent, blasts Marcos administration

VP Sara says EDSA crowd reflects growing public discontent, blasts Marcos administration

Duterte said Filipinos are struggling with rising prices and job insecurity while accusing the administration of suppressing dissent and failing to address the country's pressing issues

Published Jun 30, 2026 02:21 pm

At A Glance

  • Vice President Sara Duterte said the EDSA gathering reflects growing public discontent with the Marcos administration.
  • She accused the government of poor governance and of failing to address inflation, job insecurity, and the rising cost of living.
  • Duterte also alleged that the administration has weaponized the justice system to suppress critics and political dissent.
Vice President Sara Duterte said the EDSA crowd reflects growing public discontent with the Marcos administration as thousands of Iglesia ni Cristo members gathered at the People Power Monument on June 30, 2026, in support of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and to call for accountability over the alleged flood control scandal and corruption in government. (Santi San Juan / Manila Bulletin)
Vice President Sara Duterte said the EDSA crowd reflects growing public discontent with the Marcos administration as thousands of Iglesia ni Cristo members gathered at the People Power Monument on June 30, 2026, in support of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and to call for accountability over the alleged flood control scandal and corruption in government. (Santi San Juan / Manila Bulletin)
Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, June 30, said the people who gathered along EDSA reflected what she described as growing public discontent with the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as she renewed her criticism of the government's leadership and handling of the country's problems.
In a statement issued by the Office of the Vice President, Duterte said the gathering at EDSA echoed concerns she has been raising since 2024 regarding what she called the administration's poor governance and failure to address the everyday struggles of Filipinos.
"The people gathered in EDSA today reflect a growing sentiment that I have consistently expressed since 2024," Duterte said.
She argued that while many Filipinos continue to grapple with rising prices, job insecurity, and the rising cost of living, the President has remained detached from the hardships ordinary citizens face.
"This administration has been defined by poor governance and its failure to acknowledge and address the country's real problems," Duterte said.
"While countless of our kababayans struggle with rising prices, job insecurity, and the increasing cost of daily life, the President has remained detached from the hardships confronting Filipinos," she added.
'Weaponizing' the justice system
Duterte also accused the administration of responding to criticism with intimidation instead of addressing pressing national concerns.
Duterte alleged that the government has "weaponized the justice system" by filing cases against and imprisoning individuals who criticize the administration, expose alleged corruption and abuses in Malacañang, question its competence, or raise allegations involving the President.
"Instead of confronting these challenges with solutions, the administration has chosen to silence dissent under the guise of accountability," Duterte said.
"It has weaponized the justice system by filing cases against and imprisoning individuals who dare speak out against alleged corruption and abuses in Malacañang, question the administration's competence, or criticize the President, including by raising allegations concerning his drug use," she added.
Duterte said such actions "raise serious concerns about the state of free expression, democratic accountability, and the shrinking space for legitimate political dissent."
No longer a 'matter' of politics
Duterte also criticized the Marcos administration, alleging that its leadership has fostered an increasingly oppressive political climate while ordinary Filipinos continue to struggle with rising living costs and economic uncertainty.
"The President's failures of character and leadership have fostered an increasingly oppressive political environment," Duterte said.
"A government that answers criticism with intimidation undermines the very democratic institutions it is sworn to protect," she added.
Duterte also said the situation is "no longer a matter of politics" but one that concerns "the honor of the State and the future" of Filipinos, who she said continue to endure economic hardship while their voices are increasingly met with repression. 

Related Tags

Sara Duterte EDSA rally Marcos administration Office of the Vice President Philippine politics Iglesia ni Cristo Rodante Marcoleta
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