Vice President Sara Duterte once again took a swipe at President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., accusing him of lacking leadership and direction in government.

Speaking at the World Pandesal Day event on Thursday at Kamuning Bakery Cafe, Quezon City, Duterte said to reporters that Marcos does not demonstrate initiative or engagement in governance, questioning his work ethic as head of state.

“Akala mo ba ‘yung presidente natin nagtatrabaho? Hindi nagtatanong ‘yan at all. I swear to the flag. Si BBM hindi ‘yan nagtatanong ng trabaho at all,” she said.

“Napapansin n’yo ba, walang direksyon ‘yong governance at wala ring direksyon ‘yong iba’t ibang departamento, bakit? Kasi he doesn’t command. He doesn’t ask.”

The vice president claimed that during her stint as Education Secretary, she had to act independently of the President’s directives since, according to her, Marcos gave no orders or policy direction.

“Akala n’yo ba ‘yong ginawa ko sa DepEd galing ‘yon kay BBM? Hindi. Akin ‘yon, lahat,” Duterte said.

“He did not give any orders at all… so we created the MATATAG agenda and followed through with the MATATAG curriculum.”

Duterte, who resigned as secretary of education and as vice chairperson of an anti-insurgency task force in June 2024 following tensions with Malacañang, said she left because of what she described as political attacks from the administration.

“I don’t deserve the attacks that were thrown at me by the administration,” she said.

“Ako na nga lang siguro ‘yong kaisa-isa doong nagde-deliver para sa Cabinet ni BBM, tapos ganon pa ‘yong gagawin nila sa akin.”

The vice president also criticized the President’s record since her departure, saying Marcos has had no significant achievements since she left the Cabinet.

“Noong nawala ako, wala na siyang accomplishment at all,” Duterte added.

Her remarks mark the latest in a series of sharp criticisms directed at President Marcos, underscoring the deepening rift between the two former allies.