Even without vice presidency, VP Sara says she will continue helping Filipinos

Vice President Sara Duterte said she remains committed to helping Filipinos, whether or not she continues serving as vice president, stressing that public service can still be done outside a government office. In a video interview released by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Thursday, May 7, Duterte said her ability to help people would remain regardless of her political position. “Para sa akin, kung manatili akong Vice President, well and good (For me, if I remain Vice President, well and good),” Duterte said, noting that she can help more people through the Office of the Vice President. “Kung hindi man din ako maging Vice President, okay lang din sa akin (If I no longer serve as Vice President, that’s also fine with me),” she added. In an interview in The Hague, Netherlands, on May 6, Duterte said she could still assist people “in another capacity” and through “other ways” even outside public office. “Makakatulong pa rin ako sa mga tao sa ibang capacity na, sa ibang pamamaraan. So, either way, hindi mawawala ‘yung capacity kong tumulong (I can still help people in another capacity, in other ways. Either way, my ability to help will not disappear),” she added. Duterte emphasized that she is not overly attached to holding a government position, saying that anyone who genuinely wants to help can do so regardless of title or rank. “Hindi ako gigil ba doon sa posisyon kasi, kahit anong posisyon naman kung gusto mo talagang tumulong sa mga tao, pwede naman ‘yun (I am not desperate for the position because, in any role, if you truly want to help people, you can do so),” Duterte said. She recalled that after serving as mayor of Davao City, she did not immediately seek another elected position in 2013 and instead worked as a lawyer. “Pagkatapos kong mag-Mayor, hindi ako tumakbo sa pulitika. Nag-abogado ako at nakatulong ako. Hindi man kasing lawak ng sa Office of the Vice President, pero nakatulong din ako sa mga tao bilang abogado (After serving as mayor, I did not run for any political office. I practiced law and was able to help people. Not as far-reaching as the Office of the Vice President, but I was still able to help people as a lawyer),” Duterte said. ‘Blessed’ by God for continued support The Vice President also expressed gratitude to supporters who, she said, have continued to trust and support her despite controversies and criticisms. “Undying and unending ‘yung pagpapasalamat ko (My gratitude is undying and unending),” Duterte said. Duterte said she considers herself “blessed by God” for the continued backing she has received from Filipinos since the 2016 presidential campaign of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, through the 2019 midterm elections and her own 2022 vice presidential campaign. “Even ngayon, na I’m besieged with paninira and unfounded allegations, nandyan pa rin kayo na sumusuporta (Even now, when I am besieged with slander and unfounded allegations, you continue to support me),” Duterte said. “On that note, I am truly blessed by God for giving me that kind of support from my fellow Filipinos,” she added. Dealing with bashing, challenges The Vice President also downplayed online criticism, saying she is not active on social media and is therefore largely unaffected by online attacks. “Wala kasi ako sa social media, so hindi ko nakikita iyong bashing. So hindi talaga ako maapektuhan ng… what you don’t know won’t hurt you. So, ganoon ang motto ko sa bashing (I am not affected by bashing because I am not on social media, so I don’t see it. What you don’t know won’t hurt you—that’s my motto when it comes to bashing),” she added. On governance and office operations, Duterte acknowledged that workplace and administrative issues exist, but said these are usually resolved through coordination meetings with staff and officials. She also reiterated that she never intended to run for president in 2022, claiming that she initially preferred to run for mayor rather than vice president. “Pagdating naman sa politika, alam n’yo naman na hindi ko gusto na maging President kaya nga ako hindi tumakbo noong 2022, lalo na Vice President. Kaya nga ako tumakbong mayor noong 2022 (When it comes to politics, you already know that I do not want to become President. That is why I did not run in 2022, especially for Vice President. That is why I chose to run for mayor in 2022 instead),” she said. Duterte is currently in The Netherlands visiting her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is facing proceedings before the International Criminal Court over allegations linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign. Malacañang Palace earlier confirmed that the Office of the President approved Duterte’s revised foreign travel authority from May 2 to 15. According to the Palace, the approved itinerary includes visits to The Netherlands, South Korea, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom following Duterte’s request to revise her original travel schedule.