VICE President Sara Duterte on Thursday expressed confidence that she will not be implicated in the alleged corruption scandal involving flood control projects, even as she accused certain groups of trying to link her and her political allies to the controversy.
Speaking during a press conference at Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City for the World Pandesal Day celebration, Duterte said she expects attempts to drag her into the issue because of her alliance with Senator Bong Go and former President Rodrigo Duterte.
However, she stressed that there is “no basis” to connect her to the alleged anomaly.
“I’m certain the flood control scandal won’t reach me,” Duterte said.
She explained that neither the Office of the Vice President (OVP) nor the Department of Education (DepEd), which she led until July, handles flood control projects.
“First of all, there are no flood control projects under the OVP or the DepEd. Even Secretary [Manuel] Bonoan and the contractors have said I have no projects at all with the DPWH,” she noted.
Duterte added that despite her high-profile position, she has never been involved in any dealings related to such projects. “I don’t get involved in those things,” she said.
Still, she believes political actors may attempt to connect her to the scandal. “I think they’ll try to link it to me because Senator Bong Go is an ally of former President Duterte. That’s probably where they’ll make up a story, me on one side, PRRD in the middle, and Senator Go on the other,” she said.
Asked if she thinks investigators might also attempt to implicate former President Duterte, she replied, “Yes, and to me as well.”
Sara questions Marcos’ confidence amid probe
The Vice President also questioned President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s recent statement expressing confidence that the flood control scandal would not reach the Office of the President.
“While the investigation is still ongoing, it makes you wonder why the President is already confident that the scandal and corruption won’t reach the Office of the President,” Duterte said.
She suggested that such confidence might indicate foreknowledge of the inquiry’s outcome.
“That probably means he already knows how the investigation will turn out, because there’s no other explanation for being so confident about what will happen tomorrow,” she added.
Palace defends Marcos
In response, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said one can be confident if one knows he is working for the country and not for personal gain.
“Someone will be confident if he knows that what he’s doing is for the nation and not for himself, unlike others. Let’s not forget that the President was the key to exposing and stopping these anomalies,” Castro said.
She added that President Marcos “is brave and stands firm in his words,” emphasizing that he was “not afraid to initiate an investigation, something the previous administration never did.”
Castro further remarked that those who are guilty are often the ones who attack the government despite having no achievements.
“Someone who is at fault is afraid to face the public, yet is loud in discrediting the government even if they have no accomplishments to show,” she said.