Vice President Sara Duterte said she is not afraid of losing her post amid the impeachment case against her, saying public service can continue even outside the Office of the Vice President.
Duterte made the remark during an interview in The Hague, Netherlands, where she also brushed aside speculation that her political plans could influence lawmakers in voting on the impeachment complaint.
Duterte said losing the vice presidency would not take away her ability to serve the public. She said she could help more people through the OVP if she remains in office, but added that she can still serve in another capacity if she loses the vice presidency.
“For me, if I remain vice president, well and good, I can help more people through the Office of the Vice President. If I don’t become vice president, that’s OK too, for me… I can still help people, in a different capacity, in a different way, either way, I won’t lose my capacity to help, I don’t think I’m crazy about that position,” Duterte said.
Duterte said lawmakers should focus on the evidence and legal basis in deciding on the impeachment complaint.
“If I were a congressman, I wouldn’t think if the person is vindictive or not, I would look at the evidence. Is there any evidence? When the complaint was filed, there was no evidence at all. It’s just allegations, nothing to support the allegations. That’s what they should be looking at. Is there a basis (for the impeachment) or not? It is about removing a person who doesn’t agree with the administration,” Duterte added.
House Deputy Speaker and National Unity Party chair Ronaldo Puno earlier said it would be easy to secure the required 106 votes to impeach the Vice President.
Duterte has declared her intention to run for president in 2028. She will not be in the Philippines when the plenary vote is held, as her overseas trip runs until May 15, with stops in South Korea, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom after the Netherlands.
