Progressives say VP Duterte unfit for presidency

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Panay on Friday, Feb. 20, argued that Vice President Sara Duterte was not fit for the presidency due to unresolved accountability issues and her record in office.

Duterte, who was allied with now-President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the 2022 elections, announced on Feb. 18 her bid for the top post in 2028, aiming to “correct the record” about her support for her erstwhile running mate.

In a statement, BAYAN Panay said Duterte’s announcement, made more than two years before the next presidential election, drew cheers from “real die-hard Duterte supporters and their troll armies” but left many Filipinos questioning her qualifications to lead the country.

“For us, the answer is clear. Sara Duterte is not suited for the presidency — not merely because of partisan politics, but because of her track record, her conduct in office, and the serious accountability issues she continues to face,” the group said.

“Leadership requires competence, honesty and integrity; on these grounds, she falls short,” it added.

The group cited the impeachment complaints filed against Duterte over her use of confidential funds during her tenure as vice president and as Education secretary.

These include PHP 125 million in confidential funds reportedly spent within 11 days in 2022, allegedly supported by questionable acknowledgment receipts and insufficient documentation, and the lack of full accounting for PHP 612.5 million in confidential funds spent until 2023.

“Lawmakers filed impeachment complaints citing betrayal of public trust and possible misuse of public funds,” the statement read.

“These are not trivial accusations. Public office demands transparency. When questions about public money remain unanswered, trust is eroded,” it added.

The group also questioned her performance as Department of Education secretary, linking her leadership to the failure to address worsening education outcomes.

It cited the country’s low ranking in reading, mathematics and science in the Programme for International Student Assessment, a global study that measures 15-year-old students’ academic performance.

“As Secretary of Education, Sara Duterte was given the opportunity to lead one of the most critical sectors in the country. Her tenure did not show any urgency, decisiveness, or even competence to introduce reforms that should have addressed the country’s worsening education outcomes,” the statement read.

Ultimately, BAYAN Panay noted that Duterte’s early pronouncement may be an attempt to seek a shield from accountability over ongoing issues.

“When calls for accountability intensify, they are dismissed as destabilization efforts meant to derail her political ambitions. But accountability is not persecution but democracy at work,” the group said.

“Before aspiring to lead the nation, she must first answer the serious charges made against her. No one should use the presidency as a shield against scrutiny,” it added.

RUNNING AWAY

Mario Andon, coordinator of the Partido Manggagawa in Panay and Guimaras, reiterated on Friday that the vice president may be trying to avert the impeachment complaints against her.

Andon compared this to the early pronouncement of then-Vice President Jejomar Binay, who formally announced in 2015 but had expressed interest in running as early as 2011.

“We see this as a tactic for her to avoid the brewing impeachment against her in the House of Representatives. She has nothing more to trounce, similar to [former vice president] Jejomar Binay who [declared his candidacy] early [in 2015]. All attacks against her now [would be seen] to destroy her credibility,” Andon told Daily Guardian on Air on Friday.

Andon also warned that aside from being able to frame the impeachment as an attack, it might be used as a bargaining chip against members of Congress for their 2028 campaigns.

“This is also a tactic for members of Congress to weigh on how they will vote on the impeachment. We know that in elections, they would need money. If they favor Sara’s impeachment, they will lose money to be used in the [2028] elections,” he said.

In light of the upcoming anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power revolution, the labor leader likewise warned that failing to impeach Duterte, or to hold the Marcos administration to account, could lead to “People Power 3.”

“These are taxes they’re taking. Taxes of OFWs, taxes of our mothers, indirect taxes [like] VAT, it’s everyone’s [taxes]. Everyone contributed for the betterment of our economy, but what has happened is a systematic robbery [up to the] trillions because of political dynasties here,” Andon said.

“Our call is to charge those who are liable, jail those who need to be jailed, and reform the system — dismantle political dynasties [and] reform wages for the people,” he added.

BAYAN Panay Secretary General Elmer Forro cited during the program how the vice president treated members of Congress when asked about her issues, similar to the style of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Forro said her treatment of people who ask unfavorable questions should be a preview of how she would govern.

“In case [the younger Duterte] returns [to power], it wouldn’t be different from that of her father, or it would even be worse [than him]. When she got called to Congress to answer the issues on her impeachment, instead of answering the questions, she harasses the ones raising the questions. From there, you could already see her character,” Forro said.

Duterte served as Education secretary from June 2022 until her resignation in June 2024. The House of Representatives began hearing impeachment complaints against her in late 2024, focusing on alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds during her time as vice president and Education chief. She has denied the allegations, calling the proceedings politically motivated.