Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. now faces “a profound crisis of confidence” amid mounting allegations of corruption and questions surrounding the government’s ongoing investigations.
The video message relased amid the ongoing three-day protest rally against government corruption in different parts of the Metro Manila.
“The President now faces a profound crisis of confidence, especially in the way these corruption investigations are being handled, which appear to lack both direction and resolve," Duterte said.
She demanded clarity from President Marcos on how a budget that allegedly deprived Filipinos of “billions and billions of pesos” was approved under his administration.
Duterte said Filipinos “deserve better” as she denounced what she described as irregularities in the approval of the 2025 national budget.
The Vice President said the administration’s probe into various irregularities — including the controversial flood-control projects and questions raised over the 2025 national budget — appears to lack “direction and resolve,” fueling public frustration.
She acknowledged widespread anger over recent scandals, saying she understands the public’s disappointment as she witnessed firsthand how the House of Representatives manipulated the budget of the Department of Education during her tenure as Education secretary.
“Sa halip na sundin ang lisahan ng DepEd upang matugunan ang malalang kakulangan sa classrooms, mistulang ginawang pork barrel ang pondong nakalaan para sa kabataang Pilipino at pinaghatian ng mga kongresistang malapit sa mga makapangyarihan,“ she said.
According to Duterte, the approved DepEd budget strayed far from the department’s original list of priorities aimed at addressing the severe shortage of classrooms. Instead, she alleged the funds were treated like “pork barrel” and distributed among lawmakers “close to the powerful.”
“Pinili kong huwag sumali sa panggag*** sa taumbayan. Sa aking pagbitiw bilang kalihim ng DepEd, ininda ko ang kaliwa't kanang atake, kasama na ang impeachment, para lamang mapagtakpan nila ang katiwalian sa 2025 budget,” she added.
Duterte said the anger of ordinary Filipinos — including overseas workers she has spoken with in recent months — stems from concerns over transparency, accountability, and national security.
"Kaisa ako ng milyong milyong Pilipinong nadismaya at nandidiri sa pamahalaang lulong sa inseguridad at walang kabusugang kasakiman," she said.
"Ang karapatan nating magsalita at magpahayag ang sandigan ng demokrasya. Dapat itong pakinggan ng pamahalaan, hindi para isantabi at balewalain lamang," VP Sara emphasized.
Her remarks come days after Marcos held a press briefing assuring the public that individuals involved in anomalous flood-control projects would be imprisoned before Christmas.
