‘Filipinos deserve better’ governance - Duterte

Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte slammed government agencies and the House of Representatives anew, saying Filipinos “deserve better” governance.

In a lengthy message to the Muslim community on Wednesday, Duterte tackled a number of issues including security, health care, hunger, and environment.

She claimed the country is led by officials who do not stay true to their sworn duties.

“Ang Pilipinas ngayon ay patuloy na nagugutom, naghihirap, at lumulubog nang dahil sa mga mapanlinlang para maupo sa pwesto,” she said.

[Translation: The Philippines is still suffering from hunger, poverty, and is sinking due to deceptive individuals seeking to hold positions of power.]

The vice president also hit some House lawmakers, citing the need to address the shortage of policemen.

“Ang Pilipinas ngayon ay may representante na imbes na magpasa ng makabagong batas, ay nagpupumilit sumasawsaw sa isyu ng iba,” she said.

[Translation: The Philippines now has representatives who keep on meddling other issues instead of passing new laws.]

Although Duterte did not drop names, the vice president and the president’s cousin House Speaker Martin Romualdez were at odds in the past.

In 2023, the House rejected confidential fund requests of some civilian agencies, including the vice-presidential office and the education department.

Meanwhile, the Vice President also slammed the government’s relations with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Ang Pilipinas ngayon ay dali-daling yuyuko at susunod na lamang sa anumang kagustuhan at pangingialam ng mga banyaga tulad nalang ng ICC,” she said.

[Translation: The Philippines is now quickly bowing down and complying with any desires and interference from foreigners, such as the ICC]

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra earlier told NewsWatch Plus it cannot stop ICC from talking to individuals involved in the tribunal’s probe on the bloody drug war. He, however, reaffirmed that the Philippine government will not cooperate on the investigation.

Disaster, security response

Duterte, who was out of the country at the height of typhoon Carina, also took a swipe at the government’s flood control projects.

She also slammed airport officials over what she calls security threats.

“Ang Pilipinas ngayon ay may mga opisyal ng paliparan na tikom-bibig ukol sa banta ng seguridad, at hindi man lang nagsasagawa ng masusing imbestigasyon tuwing may banta tulad ng pagpapasapubliko ng video footage,” she said.

[Translation: The Philippines now has airport officials who are silent on security threats and does not even conduct a comprehensive investigation on such incidents, like publicizing a video footage]

On July 24, a photo of Duterte at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) went viral. Her office confirmed that she was on a “personal trip” overseas days later.

NewsWatch Plus Correspondent Lance Mejico contributed to this report