Vice President Sara Duterte delivered a fiery Independence Day message on Thursday, calling on Filipinos to stand firm in defending their hard-won freedoms, even as she faces an ongoing impeachment process.
In a video message released on the occasion of the country’s 127th Independence Day, Duterte reminded the public that the nation’s liberty came at a high cost — and must not be surrendered lightly.
“We proudly showcased Filipino freedom to the world. Let us not surrender this freedom to traitors and those who have no concern for our people and our nation,” she said in Filipino.
Duterte stressed that Independence Day is not just about remembering history, but also about holding the line against those who would erode the nation’s rights. “Embracing a culture of slavery is a desecration of the memory of our heroes,” she added. “Ignoring the suffering of many Filipino families and violating our rights and the law is a betrayal of the spirit of freedom.”
She pointed to persistent issues such as government abuse, corruption, the drug menace, education problems, poverty, and hunger as continuing threats to the people’s freedoms.
The Office of the Vice President confirmed that Duterte would be attending an Independence Day event in Kuala Lumpur.
Her message comes just days after the Senate halted her impeachment trial and returned the articles of impeachment to the House of Representatives, citing constitutional concerns. Duterte was impeached by the lower chamber on February 5, with 215 lawmakers accusing her of violating the Constitution, betraying public trust, and committing graft and corruption.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s motion to remand the case prevailed with 18 senator-judges voting in favor. Among those who dissented were Senators Risa Hontiveros, Koko Pimentel, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, and Sherwin Gatchalian.
