Leaving it to God and the Filipino people

Vice President Sara Duterte broke her silence on Friday following her impeachment by the House of Representatives, saying she harbored no ill feelings toward lawmakers she once considered friends who voted to remove her from office.

“God save the Philippines,” Duterte remarked in her first public statement since Wednesday’s impeachment vote. She confirmed that her legal team was preparing for a trial in the Senate but declined to say whether she would consider resigning to avoid a conviction, which could disqualify her from running for president in the future.

Duterte was impeached on multiple charges, including an alleged plot to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. — an accusation she again denied. Once allies in the 2022 elections, Duterte and Marcos have since had a bitter political falling out.

Speaking at a news conference, Duterte also turned her attention to the country’s economic struggles, saying the rising cost of living has made life worse for Filipinos.