“Ang masasabi ko na lang ay God save the Philippines,” Vice President Sara Duterte said in her opening statement in a press briefing on Friday, February 7 — her first public appearance after the House of Representatives impeached her on Wednesday.
Throughout the press briefing, Duterte calmly turned down some questions and answered others, assuring reporters that she was “okay.” She also thanked supporters for their prayers and encouragement. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa INC [Iglesia ni Cristo] at sa buong sambayanan sa kanilang pananawagan ng kapayapaan,” she said.
Duterte said she started preparing for an impeachment case as early as November 2023, “the moment [ACT-Teachers Representative] France Castro announced the impeachment plans.” She added that her lawyers have been at work since then.
Plans for the Impeachment Trial
Despite reports from December 2024 that her father, Rodrigo Duterte, would lead the defense team for the impeachment trial, Duterte clarified that the former president and lawyer is only “welcome to give his advice.”
“Because of his age, because of the rigorous preparations in an impeachment case, baka sabihin ko sa kanya na ‘wag na lang siyang mag-lead [ng defense team],” she said. She added that she was “overwhelmed” by the amount of lawyers approaching to provide her counsel.
While she hasn’t considered stepping down from office yet, she also reiterated that she is still “seriously considering” running for president in the 2028 elections. However, she said that she needed “the numbers” to make a decision. “Kailangan malaman ‘yong surveys and numbers, e next year pa ‘yon e.”
Asked if she felt betrayed by the House members that signed the impeachment complaint against her, Duterte said, “Actually wala akong feelings. Kung napapansin niyo, wala naman talaga akong barkada na pulitiko. I don’t join their circles, but we are friends.”
As the press briefing ended, staff members of the Office of the Vice President applauded Duterte. “Mga Leni supporters pa ‘yan ‘a,” she said.
After being greeted “Happy Valentines Day,” Duterte quipped, “Mas masakit pa ang maiwanan ng boyfriend o girlfriend kesa ma-impeach ka ng House of Representatives.”
Duterte’s disposition at the press briefing begs the question: Is she feigning non-chalance and confidence, or does she really not have anything to be worried about?
Reluctance from Senate
After Duterte was impeached on Wednesday, February 5, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that he was not involved in the impeachment efforts, having initially discouraged Congress from acting on calls for the vice president’s removal from office. When asked for her response to this, Duterte declined to give an answer.
Also asked what her thoughts were about the impeachment complaint stating that she had threatened the president in November 2024, Duterte said, “I did not make an assassination threat to the president. Sila lang nagsasabi niyan.”
In a briefing on Thursday, February 6, Senate President Francis Escudero said that the Senate can only act on the impeachment complaint against the vice president on June 2, when Congress convenes after the midterm elections.
However, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel and Bayan Muna Chairperson Neri Colmenares said it is still possible for the Senate to hold the impeachment trial. According to Pimentel, the Senate must unanimously decide to proceed with a trial even during the adjournment period. “If no one will raise an issue, or object or cite any violation of the rules, e di valid siya. The rules can be waived,” he said.
Colmenares, who served as Bayan Muna representative from 2009 to 2016, said on Wednesday that while the impeachment court consists of members of the Senate, it is not a legislative body and is therefore exempt from Congress’ adjournment.
The Senate adjourned on the evening of Wednesday, February 5, without tackling the Articles of Impeachment that were sent to the office of Senate Secretary Renato Bantug.
