Duterte rejects People Power calls, says succession must follow Constitution

DAVAO CITY — Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte said Friday she would not lead any extra-constitutional effort to oust President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., even as she repeated sharp accusations of corruption against the administration during Independence Day events in Davao City.

Asked by reporters about calls from retired military officers and other groups for her to lead a “People Power” movement, Duterte said she was the “constitutional successor” and was bound by her oath to preserve and defend the Constitution.

“Wala sa aking mga kamay ang pagsasagawa ng extra-constitutional means to overthrow the current administration,” Duterte said. “At hindi ko din gusto ’yun. Hindi ko gusto agawin ’yung posisyon ni Bongbong Marcos.”

She added, however, that she wanted Filipinos to see the Marcos administration through “hanggang sa dulo,” saying in Filipino that she wanted the public to see “kung gaano ka walang hiya si BBM.”

Duterte’s remarks came after she led Independence Day commemorations in Davao City, where she framed corruption as a threat to national freedom and sovereignty.

Duterte served as guest of honor during the 128th Philippine Independence Day rites at Rizal Park in Davao City, where she said corruption steals opportunity, dignity, hope and freedom.

In the media interview, Duterte said the loss of freedom and sovereignty does not happen only through foreign invasion.

“Nawawala din ang ating kalayaan at ating soberanya kapag ang ating mga opisyal sa gobyerno ay mala-sindikato sa pagnanakaw ng pera ng bayan,” she said.

She later repeated the point when asked for her message to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and the public amid the political climate and allegations of destabilization.

“Hindi siya sa pagsakop lamang ng mga foreign invaders,” Duterte said. “Nawawala din siya kapag ’yung mga matataas na opisyal ng ating pamahalaan, kasama na ang Pangulo, ay mala-sindikato sa pagnanakaw ng pera ng bayan.”