Sara: Marcos faces ‘profound crisis of confidence’

Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is facing “a profound crisis of confidence” over how his administration is handling the investigation of alleged anomalous government flood control projects.

"The President now faces a profound crisis of confidence, especially in the way these corruption investigations are being handled, which appear to lack both direction and resolve," Duterte said in a statement.

"We also seek clear answers on how a budget that deprived Filipinos of billions and billions of pesos was approved under his watch," she added.

Duterte said she understands the anger and frustration of the people toward the current administration.

"Nauunawaan ko ang galit ng taong bayan sapagkat sa nakalipas na ilang buwan, bago pa man sumabog ang issue sa flood control, madalas na akong nakikipag-usap at nakikinig sa mga hinaing ng ating mga kababayang overseas Filipinos ukol sa transparency, accountability, peace, at security," she said.

("I understand the anger of the people because in the past few months, even before the flood control issue erupted, I have frequently been talking to and listening to the concerns of our overseas Filipinos regarding transparency, accountability, peace, and security.")

Duterte recalled how the budget in the Department of Education (DepEd) was misused by Congress, led by former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bikol Partylist Representative, while she served as DepEd secretary.

"Nauunawaan ko ang galit ng taong bayan dahil nasaksihan ko mismo kung paano minanipula ng House of Representatives ang budget ng Department of Education," Duterte said.

("I understand the anger of the people because I personally witnessed how the House of Representatives manipulated the Department of Education budget.")

"Sa halip na sundin ang listahan ng DepEd upang matugunan ang malalang kakulangan sa classrooms, mistulang ginawang pork barrel ang pondong nakalaan para sa kabataang Pilipino at pinaghati-hatian ng mga kongresistang malapit sa mga makapangyarihan," she added.

("Instead of following the DepEd list to address the severe classroom shortages, the funds allocated for Filipino youth were treated like pork barrel and divided among congressmen close to the powerful.")

Duterte said she resigned from the Marcos cabinet because she could no longer tolerate what she described as the administration’s mockery of the people.

"Pinili kong huwag sumali sa panggagago sa taong bayan. Sa aking pagbitiw bilang kalihim ng DepEd, ininda ko ang kaliwat-kanan na atake, kasama na ang impeachment, para lamang mapagtakpan nila ang katiwalian sa 2025 budget," she said.

("I chose not to join in mocking the people. In resigning as DepEd secretary, I endured attacks from all sides, including impeachment, just so they could cover up the corruption in the 2025 budget.")

She said she is one with millions of Filipinos dismayed and disgusted with a government drowned in insecurity and insatiable greed.

Duterte also emphasized the people’s right to free speech and expression as the pillar of democracy.

"Dapat itong pakinggan ng pamahalaan. Hindi para isantabi at balewalain lamang. We Filipinos deserve better," she said.

("The government must listen to this. It is not something to be set aside or ignored. We Filipinos deserve better.")

Thousands of Filipinos joined the anti-corruption rally at the Quirino Grandstand and People Power Monument on Sunday, 16 November, organized by the Iglesia Ni Cristo. The three-day rally, running from 16 to 18 November, called for accountability amid the alleged anomalous flood control projects in government.