House probe into Duterte drug war won’t be fair – VP Sara

Vice President Sara Duterte and former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte (Composite image from file photos)

MANILA, Philippines — “Of course not. I do not expect fairness.”

Vice President Sara Duterte did not mince words on Wednesday when she admitted before Senate reporters that she expects no fairness in the House of Representatives’ quad committee probe into the war on drugs implemented by her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte.

At a press conference, the vice president was asked if she expects a fair hearing for her father at the lower chamber, to which she immediately answered in the negative. 

The vice president then proceeded to recall her experience, noting that, like her, the former president would also be subjected to an apparent “political persecution.”

“Last year pa lang, even if approved naman sa National Expenditure Program ang budget ng Office of the Vice President pagdating namin sa House of Representatives ay binanatan kami nang binanatan,” said Sara.

(Last year, even if the OVP’s budget had been approved at the NEP, we were still challenged by the House of Representatives.)

“Ngayon nakita natin yung budget hearing namin, yung mga tanong hindi naman related sa mga proposals namin na projects — related siya sa confidential funds so na nandoon  pa rin yung storyline nila na attacks sa confidential funds and so yun nga, nakita naman natin na pag slash ng budget ng OVP at hindi lang yan, maraming naaapektuhan at maraming tao na nakapaligid sa amin na hinaharrass, pinapahirapan, but then again, I am a politician it’s okay with me. Kasama yan sa trabaho ko. Ang hindi ko lang gusto ay yung nadadamay ang ordinary employees,” she added.

(As we’ve seen in our budget hearing, the questions raised were unrelated to our project proposals. They were all related to confidential funds so they are still in the confidential funds storyline. We’ve also experienced the slashing of budget and not only that, many employees were affected. Many were harassed, but then again, I am a politician so it’s okay with me. It’s part of my job. What I don’t like is when ordinary employees get involved.)

According to the vice president, she is certain that her father will face allegations and threats related to the International Criminal Court as well as the alleged extrajudicial killings amid the bloody wart on drugs.

“Bakit? Well, one would think siguro kapag hinahabol ka meron silang gusto na mawala sayo,” said Sara.

(Why? Well, one would think that when they are chasing you at this level, it means they want something from you.)

At this point, she was asked if she worried about her father.

She said her father would not attend the probe if he’s not okay health-wise. 

“He’ll be okay,” she said.