VP Sara: Government ‘drowned in greed’

Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is facing “a profound crisis of confidence” over how his administration is handling the probe into alleged anomalies in 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.

She said that Filipinos deserve clear answers on “how a budget that deprived the public of billions was approved under his watch.”

Duterte also said she understands why people are angry and frustrated with the current administration.

“I understand the public’s anger because over the past months — even before the flood control controversy exploded — I’ve been talking to and listening to many of our overseas Filipinos express their concerns about transparency, accountability, peace, and security,” she said.

The Vice President recalled her experience as education secretary, saying she witnessed first-hand how Congress — led by former House speaker Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bicol party-list representatives — allegedly misused the Department of Education’s budget.

“I understand the anger of the people because I myself saw how the House of Representatives manipulated the DepEd budget,” she said.

“Instead of following the department’s list to address the severe classroom shortage, the funds meant for the Filipino youth were treated like a pork barrel and divided among congressmen close to those in power.”

Duterte said this was one of the reasons she resigned from the Marcos Cabinet — because she “could no longer stomach” what was happening.

“I chose not to take part in fooling the public. When I resigned as DepEd secretary, I endured wave after wave of attacks — including impeachment — all so they could cover up the corruption in the 2025 budget,” she said.

She added that she stands with the millions of Filipinos who feel dismayed and disgusted with a government “drowned in insecurity and insatiable greed.”

Duterte stressed that the people’s right to speak out and express their views is a pillar of democracy.

“This should be heard by the government, not dismissed or ignored. We Filipinos deserve better,” she said.

Thousands of Filipinos joined the anti-corruption rally at the Quirino Grandstand and People Power Monument on Sunday, 16 November, organized by the religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo.

The three-day rally from 16-18 November was organized to call for accountability amid the anomalous government flood control projects.