Sara Duterte warns Charter change push may keep Marcos in power longer

THE HAGUE, Netherlands - Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday raised concerns over growing discussions on Charter change, warning that it could lead to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. remaining in power beyond his term.

In a media interview, Duterte said the administration should prioritize economic recovery rather than political moves, accusing it of using government resources to weaken political opposition amid escalating political tensions.

“Una nyan si dating Pangulong Duterte, sunod nyan si Senator Bato at ano pang ibang sinali sa complaint kuno. Ang sunod nyan ay Charter change dahil di naman na made-deny ni BBM dahil doon sa bago niyang interview ng Bloomberg, sinabi nya na na kailangan ng pagusapan yan. Pag pinagusapan na ‘yan, di na ‘yan bababa sa pwesto,” Duterte said.

(First, former President Duterte, then Senator Bato and what else was included in the complaint. Next, Charter change because BBM can no longer deny it because in his recent interview with Bloomberg, he said that it needs to be discussed. Once that is discussed, he will not step down from his position.)

She also warned that such developments could have long-term political consequences, echoing concerns previously raised by former president Rodrigo Duterte.

“Yan din sinabi ni (former) President Duterte kanina, sabi niya: Pilipinas mag-ingat kayo, dahil ‘di na yan aalis sa pwesto,” she added.

(That's what (former) President Duterte said earlier, he said: Philippines, be careful, because he won't leave office.)

Malacañang, in response, said that Duterte’s remarks have no basis.

“Ang kailangan natin ay isang public servant na nagseserbisyo sa bayan at taumbayan at hindi yung ang alam lang ay gumawa ng intriga at fake news,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a message to reporters.

(What we need is a public servant who serves the country and the people and not one who only knows how to create intrigue and fake news.)

“Mas nakakahiya sa ngayon ang magkomento pa sa mga walang basehan at walang sustansyang pahayag ni VP Sara Duterte,” she added.

(It’s more embarrassing now to comment on VP Sara Duterte's baseless and unsubstantiated statements.)—with Giselle Ombay/BAP/VBL, GMA News