PHSARA CLAIMS PRESIDENCY WAS HERS, CONTRADICTS PAST DENIAL OF POLITICAL AMBITIONS
Vice President Sara Duterte declared that the 2022 presidency was "hers already," contradicting her earlier claims that she never intended to run for president or vice president.
During a press briefing on Saturday, November 30, Duterte stated, "The presidency of 2022 was mine already—na nanalo na ako sa surveys, lahat ng tao solid na, united na for my candidacy. Pero I gave it away because I felt I had to do some other things, other than being president of the Republic of the Philippines."
This statement starkly contrasts with her remarks in August, following a Senate Committee on Finance briefing on the proposed 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP). At the time, Duterte insisted she had no aspirations for either role.
"Pag paalisin nila ako dito or i-impeach nila ako, hindi kawalan sa akin ang posisyon na vice president. In the first place, hindi ko naman gusto tumakbong president, hindi ko gusto tumakbong vice president," she said.
Duterte's latest comments came in response to House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun's assertion that her early presidential ambitions caused political unrest.
"Nagsimula ang lahat ng kaguluhang ito noong mangarap ang ating bise president na maging presidente ng maaga. Noong mangarap ang former president na paupuin 'yung kanyang anak na maging president kaagad," Khonghun said.
Duterte dismissed Khonghun's statement, instead attributing the controversies to legislative inquiries into the alleged misuse of PHP 612.5 million in confidential funds by the OVP and the Department of Education under her leadership.
Vice President Sara Duterte declared that the 2022 presidency was "hers already," contradicting her earlier claims that she never intended to run for president or vice president.
During a press briefing on Saturday, November 30, Duterte stated, "The presidency of 2022 was mine already—na nanalo na ako sa surveys, lahat ng tao solid na, united na for my candidacy. Pero I gave it away because I felt I had to do some other things, other than being president of the Republic of the Philippines."
This statement starkly contrasts with her remarks in August, following a Senate Committee on Finance briefing on the proposed 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP). At the time, Duterte insisted she had no aspirations for either role.
"Pag paalisin nila ako dito or i-impeach nila ako, hindi kawalan sa akin ang posisyon na vice president. In the first place, hindi ko naman gusto tumakbong president, hindi ko gusto tumakbong vice president," she said.
Duterte's latest comments came in response to House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun's assertion that her early presidential ambitions caused political unrest.
"Nagsimula ang lahat ng kaguluhang ito noong mangarap ang ating bise president na maging presidente ng maaga. Noong mangarap ang former president na paupuin 'yung kanyang anak na maging president kaagad," Khonghun said.
Duterte dismissed Khonghun's statement, instead attributing the controversies to legislative inquiries into the alleged misuse of PHP 612.5 million in confidential funds by the OVP and the Department of Education under her leadership.