Vice President Sara Duterte publicly aligned herself with widespread public anger on Monday, saying President Marcos is confronting “a profound crisis of confidence” as corruption allegations continue to shake his administration.
In a video statement, Duterte said she distanced herself from the government months earlier by stepping down as education secretary after discovering what she described as the misuse of funds intended for the country’s schools. She claimed that allocations meant for classrooms were instead treated as “pork barrel” for political allies.
“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,” she said. Duterte also questioned how “a budget that deprived Filipinos of billions and billions of pesos was approved under his watch.”
She voiced solidarity with those angered by the unfolding scandal. “Kaisa ako ng milyong-milyong Pilipinong nadismaya at nandidiri sa pamahalaang lulong sa insekuridad at walang kabusugang kasakiman,” she said, calling it the public’s right to speak out and insisting that “We Filipinos deserve better.”
The vice president recalled her experience in the Department of Education, alleging that attempts to cover up irregularities in the 2025 budget led to sustained political attacks against her. “Pinili kong huwag sumali sa panggagago sa taong bayan… para lamang mapagtakpan nila ang katiwalian sa 2025 budget,” she said.
The remarks came a day after an estimated 650,000 people gathered at Quirino Grandstand in Manila to demand accountability and transparency following revelations of large-scale anomalies in government infrastructure projects. The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), which has historically maintained ties with both Marcos and Duterte, organized the rally, scheduled to run until Tuesday, Nov. 18.
