Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration of masterminding what she described as efforts to destroy her reputation, an allegation Malacañang rejected as it challenged her to answer accusations against her with evidence.
“Sino ang nasa likod ng paninira sa akin? Administrasyon. Ang Palasyo, si BBM,” Duterte said Tuesday, Oct. 6.
[Translation: Who is behind the attacks against me? The administration. The Palace, BBM.]
Duterte pointed to statements from the Office of the President and the impeachment proceedings against her as she accused the administration of trying to shift controversies involving Marcos toward her.
Malacañang rejected Duterte’s accusation.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the vice president was pointing at others instead of addressing the allegations against her.
“Siguro ’yan talaga ang mangyayari ‘pagka wala ka nang mahanap na pang-depensa, magtuturo ka na lang ng iba,” Castro said.
[Translation: “Perhaps that is what happens when you can no longer find a defense. You just point to someone else.”]
Castro said allegations involving funds supposedly received by Duterte and members of her family should be answered through evidence. She said Marcos did not benefit from the money being alleged.
“Wala na masisira kay VP Sara, nasa katawan niya na ’yan,” Castro said.
[Translation: There is nothing left to destroy about VP Sara. That is already on her.]
Castro said the Palace would leave the evaluation of evidence in Duterte’s impeachment case to the senator-judges.
“As of now, we can’t make any judgment. It’s up to the senator-judges how to evaluate the pieces of evidence shown and submitted during the impeachment trial,” she said.
Castro also questioned why Duterte was presenting documents and annexes to dispute Gracioso’s allegations but had not, in the Palace’s view, provided similar evidence to address questions surrounding confidential funds and other alleged transactions.
“Mukhang marunong naman siya magpaliwanag. Kung mayroon siyang ebidensya, ipakita niya na,” Castro said.
[Translation: It appears she knows how to explain herself. If she has evidence, she should present it.]
