Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero (L) and Vice President Sara Duterte (R). | PHOTOS: Senate PRIB and official Facebook page of Inday Sara Duterte
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has the right to point out societal problems just like any other Filipino, but Senate President Francis Escudero is finding it “perplexing,” noting her father’s alleged failure to address some of the issues during his term.
Escudero said Duterte’s actions were not surprising “following her resignation from the Cabinet” of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who was her running mate in the 2022 elections under UniTeam.
However, the senator explained, the vice president’s criticism – specifically, on the Marcos administration’s lack of a master plan against flooding – is somewhat confusing because, according to him, former President Rodrigo Duterte did not come up with one such strategy during his six years in power.
Ex-President Duterte served from June 2016 to June 2022, and succeeded by Marcos.
“What is perplexing is her questioning the absence of a flood master plan two years into the administration of PBBM (President Marcos) after the previous administration had six years to develop one, but was unable to do so,” Escudero pointed out.
“Matagal nang problema ang pagbabaha sa bansa. Kung meron kasing nagawa na o nasimulan man lang po noon, eh di meron na po sana tayong napapatupad na ngayon,” he added.
(Flooding has been a long-time problem in the country. If only we had something done or initiated before, then we should have been implementing something now.)
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Escudero further pointed out that Duterte, being the country’s second-highest official, has the platform to suggest or execute tangible solutions to problems rather than just call attention to issues.
“We have other problems, but the focus of the Senate is to address them, and not just point. The Vice President, like every Filipino, has the right to point out the problems confronting our countrymen. Unlike ordinary citizens, however, she can actually suggest or do something tangible about them using her position, resources and platform,” he said.
“Imbes na magturuan at magsisihan, mas mainam na magtulungan na lang tayo para tugunan ang mga problema ng ating bansa at mga kababayan,” he added.
(Instead of blaming each other, it would be better for us to help each other in responding to the problems of our country and of the people.)
Escudero’s remarks were in response to Duterte’s statements to the Muslim community on Wednesday, August 7, in which she thanked Muslim tribes for volunteering to secure her when 75 police officers were pulled out from her personal protection team.
According to Duterte, it is not her security which is of importance, but the well-being of the country, highlighting that the country is being ruled by people who do not fulfill their sworn duties.
She also said the government itself admitted that there is no comprehensive flood-control master plan.
“Ang Pilipinas, bilang isang kapuluang dinadayo ng bagyo taun-taon, may komprehensibong plano dapat at mga matatag na imprastraktura laban sa kalamidad. Subalit ang Pilipinas ngayon ay may gobyernong umaamin na wala man lang tayong flood-control master plan,” she added.
(The Philippines, as an archipelago frequented by storms yearly, should have a comprehensive plan and strong infrastructure program against calamities. But the Philippines now has a government that admits that we do not have a flood-control master plan.)
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This is not the first time that lawmakers from either the Senate or House of Representatives have called out Vice President Duterte for her statements.
Last Wednesday, Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun and La Union 1st District Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V said Duterte should address her absence during the onslaught of Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi) and the strong southwest monsoon instead of criticizing the government.
They also urged Duterte to respond to other issues like the confidential funds lodged with the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in 2022 when there were no allocations made when the budget was originally crafted.
Then, Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong urged Duterte not to use religion in politics, saying that he was disappointed with the vice president’s statements before the Muslim community that only leans towards divisiveness.
In a separate statement on Thursday, Manila 6th District Rep. Joel Chua asked why Duterte is positioning herself as a champion of the masses “all the while having nothing real and concrete to show for in terms of true results.”
Duterte also drew flak for supposedly making it appear that her security was depleted, when the Armed Forces of the Philippines said that 400 military officers are securing her.
For Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, the at least 400 security detail for Duterte might be excessive already.
Former lawmaker Barry Gutierrez, who served as OVP spokesperson under former Vice President Leni Robredo, said Duterte’s reduced security detail is still three times bigger than that of his ex-boss.