In a statement released by the Office of the Vice President (OVP), Duterte said the crowd at EDSA echoed concerns she has been raising since 2024.

"The people gathered in EDSA today reflect a growing sentiment that I have consistently expressed since 2024," Duterte said.

She added that the Marcos administration "has been defined by poor governance and its failure to acknowledge and address the country's real problems."

The vice president also criticized the President for being "detached" from the struggles faced by ordinary Filipinos, including rising prices, job insecurity, and the increasing cost of living.

"While countless of our kababayans struggle with rising prices, job insecurity, and the increasing cost of daily life, the President has remained detached from the hardships confronting Filipinos. Instead of confronting these challenges with solutions, the administration has chosen to silence dissent under the guise of accountability," Duterte said.

Duterte further alleged that the administration has "weaponized the justice system" by filing cases against critics and individuals who question the government's actions.

"It has weaponized the justice system by filing cases against and imprisoning individuals who dare speak out against alleged corruption and abuses in Malacañang, question the administration's competence, or criticize the President, including allegations concerning his drug use," she said.

"Such actions raise serious concerns about the state of free expression, democratic accountability, and the shrinking space for legitimate political dissent," Duterte added.

According to the vice president, the government has failed to address the country's economic challenges while allegedly using the justice system against its critics, a situation she said threatens democratic institutions.

Duterte also accused Marcos of fostering an "increasingly oppressive political environment" through failures in leadership and character.

"The President's failures of character and leadership have fostered an increasingly oppressive political environment. A government that answers criticism with intimidation undermines the very democratic institutions it is sworn to protect," she said.

She said the issue goes beyond political differences and concerns the country's future amid continuing economic difficulties.

"This is no longer a matter of politics. It is a matter of the honor of the State and the future of a people who continue to bear the weight of economic hardship while their voices are increasingly met with repression," Duterte said.