Vice President Sara Duterte delivered a sharp critique of the Marcos administration during a gathering in Melbourne, Australia, saying the country is not ready for war or any major global disruption due to a lack of leadership and concrete planning.
“We are not prepared for drawing change, we are not prepared for war, we are not prepared for global shock because there is no plan at all, there is no vision at all,” Duterte said at the “Free Duterte Now” rally, which also called for the release of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, currently detained in The Hague over crimes against humanity charges.
Duterte, who previously served as education secretary until her resignation in June 2024, claimed that during her time in the Cabinet, she saw no clear direction from the current administration. She also criticized the country’s food security and climate preparedness, saying the government has yet to present a long-term strategy for farmers or resilience efforts.
“We don’t take care of our farmers. We don’t have a food security plan, and it is already the midterm of this administration, with no plans of doing plans, of creating plans. Nothing,” she said.
The Vice President also voiced strong opposition to the recent deployment of the U.S. Typhon missile system in the Philippines, saying the country must stay neutral and not be drawn into conflicts between major powers. “Iyong problema natin sa West Philippine Sea, does not make up our entire relations with China. And so, therefore, there is no reason for you to lean towards the US,” she added.
Reflecting on her decision to run alongside President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2022, Duterte said she believed he would seek to redeem the Marcos name by leaving a better legacy than that of his father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. “Unfortunately, I did not bet properly with my running mate,” she said.
Despite her falling out with the Marcos administration, Duterte defended Senator Imee Marcos, whom she called a longtime friend since 2012.
The Vice President is currently facing an impeachment complaint that cites alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and links to extrajudicial killings in Davao City, as well as controversial statements perceived as threats against the President and other top officials.
Since stepping down from DepEd and her role as Lakas-CMD chair, Duterte has been vocal about what she calls “political toxicity” and being sidelined by internal power struggles.
