Sara Duterte ready to face charges, jail

Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday said she is unafraid of facing sedition charges or any other case that her critics may pursue against her, stressing that she is prepared for whatever legal outcome awaits.

“Actually, inaantay ko lang kung kailan nila ako ikukulong. But apparently hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin nila mabuo-buo talaga kung ano iyong strategy nila paano nila ako ikulong dahil wala talaga silang ebidensya ng maling ginawa,” Duterte said in an ambush interview during the 90th anniversary celebration of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) at Shangri-La Makati.

The National Bureau of Investigation filed a complaint for inciting to sedition and grave threats against Duterte on February 12, 2025, over her earlier remark claiming she hired someone to kill President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“Actually, ako, meron din ako pending open investigation sa inciting to sedition and grave threats,” she said.

Duterte added that she does not fear facing the Ombudsman either.

“Hindi po ako natatakot kasi nakahanda naman ako sa posibleng mga mangyari sa akin,” she said.

She then criticized the administration for allegedly being intolerant of dissent, saying that criticism is an essential part of democracy.

“Hindi mo pwedeng pigilan 'yun dahil karapatan 'yan ng mga tao na magsalita kung ano yung iniisip nila, kung ano 'yung nararamdaman nila. Kung hindi man pabor sa administration o gobyerno nilang sinasabi ng mga tao ay dapat respetuhin nila 'yun,” she said.

Duterte further described the administration as “paranoid” about supposed destabilization efforts.

“Matagal na 'yan sila paranoid. Kailan ba sila nagsimula maging paranoid? Ang balita ko na simula sila maging paranoid noong nagbabiyahe sila abroad. Natatakot sila na wala na silang babalikan dito sa bayan natin,” Duterte said.

“At nakikita nyo naman 'yung paranoia nila sa mga actions nila tulad yung panggigipit sa mga kababayan natin na nagsasalita kontra sa kanila. Panggigipit sa mga taong gustong mag-witness sa mga kaso laban sa mga government officials natin ngayon na alyado ng administrasyon,” she added.