Written for The Diplomat
Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte has described the decision to remove 75 police personnel from her security detail as “political harassment.”
“Let us spare our people from all the lies. Let us call it what it is – a clear case of political harassment,” Duterte said in her four-page open letter addressed to the country’s police chief. She added that it was a “targeted maneuver” since the reassigned cops were mostly from Davao City where she previously served as mayor.
This latest spat between the vice president, the police, and administration allies reflects the widening rift between the Duterte and Marcos political dynasties which initially formed a unity team during the 2022 election. The tension could get worse since the Marcos government has shifted its stance on the work of the International Criminal Court which is currently prosecuting former President Rodrigo Duterte and some of his subordinates regarding their role in the bloody “war on drugs.”
Legislators Defer Approval of Vice President’s Budget
Written for The Diplomat
A committee of the Philippine House of Representatives deferred the approval of the 2025 budget of Vice President Sara Duterte, reflecting not just the worsening rift between erstwhile allied political clans but also the clamor for more transparent and prudent spending of public funds.
In 2022 and 2023, the budget of Duterte’s office was quickly approved by legislators as part of the parliamentary courtesy provided to the country’s second-highest official. But this didn’t happen this year, not only because the Dutertes have openly called for the resignation of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., but also because Vice President Duterte refused to properly answer the questions of legislators during the budget hearing.
The deferment of Duterte’s budget indicated her diminished support base in the House of Representatives. She is scheduled to appear again on September 10 but the budget of her office could face substantial cuts if she continues to ignore questions from legislators. She should also face the prospect of being impeached as more information is released about how she really spent her confidential funds in 2022.