Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday opened up about what she called a “professional crisis” during her time as Education Secretary under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., saying she was targeted despite her dedication to public service.
Speaking at the World Pandesal Day celebration at Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City, Duterte recalled feeling disheartened when she was subjected to attacks even as she focused on her duties.
“Professional crisis (ko) yung naging Vice President ako. I was serving in the Cabinet of BBM at nagtataka ako bakit ako inaatake. Wala naman akong ginagawa (sa kanila),” she said.
Duterte, who resigned from the Department of Education in July last year, said she continued to work on projects for both her office and the education department but still faced criticism from within the administration.
“Nagtatrabaho lang ako at ‘yun ang commitment ko din sa bayan. Pero kahit nakaupo ako as Cabinet Secretary sa Department of Education, sa Office of the Vice President, ang ginagawa nila nagro-roll out ng project, inaatake ako ng administrasyon. Yun ‘yung professional crisis na pinagdaanan ko,” she said.
The Vice President added that it took months before she realized that the treatment she received was unfair.
“It took me a while to realize my worth and value as a government official na hindi dapat ganito ang ginagawa sa akin kasi wala naman akong ginagawang masama sa administrasyon, kay BBM man o kahit kanino man,” she said.
Ultimately, Duterte said she chose to step down rather than endure what she described as an unjust situation or seek reconciliation with those who opposed her.
“Medyo tumagal din ng ilang buwan bago ako nagdesisyon na hindi tama ang ginagawa sa akin, hindi tama ‘yung ginagawa sa opisina kung saan ako nakaupo. I will not endure ‘yung ganoon at hindi rin ako hihingi ng some sort of peace… Ang desisyon ko lang, aalis ako pero bahala na kayo kung anong gusto niyong gawin,” she said.
Her remarks came months after leaving the Marcos Cabinet, marking a period of growing political tension between the Marcos and Duterte families. Since her resignation, Duterte has continued her initiatives under the Office of the Vice President, including livelihood and tree-planting programs.
