Sara: ICC arrest, impeachment all ‘politically motivated’

Vice President Sara Duterte said the impeachment case filed against her and the International Criminal Court’s move to arrest her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, are “politically motivated” and tied to the 2028 national elections.

In an interview with Russian media on Wednesday, Duterte claimed her political rivals are targeting her because she is the perceived frontrunner in the 2028 presidential race. The transcript of her interview was released by the Office of the Vice President that evening.

“It’s all about the refusal or the intent of President Marcos. It is the intent of President [Ferdinand 'Bongbong'] Marcos [Jr.] not to step down. He wants to perpetuate himself or his family in power. It is clear from the moves of his administration against political opponents,” Duterte said.

“And in fact, one of his relatives, and this is a personal knowledge of mine, has expressed that he wants to run for president,” she added.

Duterte linked her impeachment to the administration’s failed push for Charter change via People’s Initiative. She claimed the Marcos camp wanted to transition into a parliamentary system to allow a non-elected prime minister to hold executive power.

“When they failed in this, they started the impeachment. And clearly, evidence shows that the members of the House of Representatives, many of them who signed, did not read the articles of impeachment,” Duterte said.

She also alleged that some lawmakers admitted to receiving money in exchange for their signatures on the complaint.

“One particular member of the House of Representatives already said publicly that there was money in exchange for the signatures in the Articles of Impeachment, because I am the frontrunner in the presidential race in 2028, the survey shows that. And I think they want to eliminate the frontrunner,” Duterte said.

Asked whether her impeachment and her father’s detention by the ICC were connected, Duterte said: “I believe so, yes. They think that if they take out a former President Duterte, they will weaken me because it’s one brand, it’s one family.”

Despite the speculation, Duterte said she has not yet decided if she will seek the presidency.

“I have not planned anything for the presidential race of 2028. Some supporters have given me a deadline of the fourth quarter of the year 2026. So that is when I will decide if I will run for president on 2028,” she said.

She reiterated that she holds no personal grudge against Marcos, but remains critical of his administration.

“I have no ill feelings toward him with regard to the political persecution I am receiving from the administration. That is part of a politician’s life,” Duterte said.

“But I have problems with his performance as president and the violations of our fundamental law — particularly the rendition of former President [Rodrigo] Duterte. That was an affront to Philippine sovereignty,” she added.

Duterte, who ran alongside Marcos in 2022 under the now-crumbling “Uniteam” alliance, further accused the president of issuing “conflicting statements” and failing to deliver on campaign promises.