MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday criticized the national government for its failure to fund a flood control program in Davao City and seemingly blasted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. by alluding to issues hounding him.
In a statement, Duterte cited her personal experiences dealing with calamities and then questioned why the master plan and feasibility study for flood control for Davao City, formulated during the time of her father former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, has yet to be funded.
She accused the government of not funding the flood control program merely because the mayor of Davao City is a Duterte.
“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.
(Perhaps it’s time to fund infrastructure projects that align with the master plan? Or maybe there are still doubts because a Duterte is the mayor, and they would prefer to dismantle the projects instead.)
In making the pointed statement, Duterte said she was using her position and platform “to be the voice of Filipinos who are left unheard” and to show government officials “how to command.”
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It should be noted, however, that Duterte and her family left the country on July 25 for an unannounced trip to Germany — right in the middle of the onslaught of Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon, which battered and left floods in several parts of the country.
As of posting, it has yet to be confirmed by the Office of the Vice President if Duterte has already returned to the country, despite weeks of requests from reporters for a confirmation or update.
READ: VP Duterte, kin fly to Germany; OVP mum on trip
Leadership according to VP Sara
Meanwhile, in the same statement, Duterte went on a tirade about what “leadership” is, stressing that Filipinos “deserve better.”
“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,’” said Duterte.
“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,” she added.
Duterte may have been alluding to a viral video online that appeared to show Marcos allegedly doing drugs.
Government agencies and officials, however, denied and denounced the video, stating that it was a mere attempt to destabilize the government.
While Duterte did not explicitly state any names, the Vice President seemed to have cut her ties with Marcos after quitting her position in his Cabinet as education secretary, and not even attending the President’s third State of the Nation address.