VP Sara: I'm using my position, platform to show gov't officials how to command

Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday said she is using her position and her platform to be the voice to show the government officials how to command.

The Vice President issued the statement in apparent response to Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero's remark earlier in the day, saying Duterte has the right to point out the problems in the country but "she can actually suggest or do something tangible about them using her position, resources and platform."

"We, Filipinos, deserve better. So, I am using my position, resources and platform, to be the voice for my fellow Filipinos who are left unheard," Duterte said.

The Vice President cited two instances where she said she experienced flooding in the house of her parents in Davao City.

"Nasira ang mga kagamitan namin at puro burak ang kapaligiran — hindi siya nakakatuwa. Naranasan ko ring maglakad sa tubig baha na hanggang dibdib at tuluyang lumangoy na lamang — hindi siya masaya. Naranasan ko maging mayor at may namatay na 30 katao nang dahil sa isang flash flood — hanggang ngayon masakit pa rin sa damdamin ko ito," she shared.

(Our things were damaged and there were mud everywhere—it is not funny. I have also experienced walking into chest-deep floodwater and later on swim—it is not a happy feeling. When I was a mayor, 30 people died because of a flash flood—it breaks my heart until now.)

"So l am using my position, resources and platform to be the voice to show our government officials how to command," she stressed.

Duterte went on and said, "I am using my position, resources and platform just as I did in the past — noong ako ay mayor pa lamang, sinabihan ko ang NEDA XI na kailangan ng pag-aaral para sa flood control at drainage. Ito ay para may sinusundan ang City Engineer's Office (CEO) at DPWH na plano at hindi na sila mag-imbento ng proyekto."

She then noted the "flood planning" that was supposedly crafted during the administration of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Nasimulan noong Setyembre 2016 at na-publish noong Hulyo 2023 ang Master Plan and Feasibility Study for Flood Control. Baka naman gusto nang pondohan ang mga infrastructure projects na naaayon sa masterplan? O baka naman may alinlangan pa hinggil dito dahil Duterte ang mayor at mas mamarapatin nilang gibain na lang?" she said.

(They started the Master Plan and Feasibility Study for Flood Control in September 2016 and published it in July 2023. They should now fund infrastructure projects based on a masterplan. Or maybe they are having doubts because the name of the mayor is Duterte and would rather destroy it.)

The former Davao City mayor and now Vice President made special mention to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) whom she said helped Davao City.

She then took a shot at leaders who were motivated by money and illegal substances and those who "hold champagne glasses."

"Leadership is faithfulness to the oath of office. Leadership is faithful service to the people. Leaders should only say one thing — that 'it is done,'" Duterte said.

"Leaders should not be motivated by cash, cocaine or champagne. And, most certainly, leaders should not be made to hold champagne glasses. Again — We, Filipinos, deserve better. We, Filipinos, should be the best," she added.

To recall, a video during a Vin d'Honneur in June became viral as it showed First Lady Liza Marcos grabbing Escudero's champagne glass and sipping from it.

The First Lady earlier admitted having ill feelings towards that Vice President after the latter's father called Marcos "bangag" or high on drugs in a prayer rally in Davao City.

GMA News Online reached to the Malacañang and Escudero for comment on Duterte's statement but has yet to receive a reply as of posting time.—AOL, GMA Integrated News