'Hindi ko gustong agawin': VP Sara denies wanting to replace Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte said she has no interest in overthrowing the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. or taking his position because she took an oath to defend the Constitution.

“Wala sa aking mga kamay ang pagsasagawa ng any extra-constitutional means to overthrow the current administration, at hindi ko rin gusto ‘yon. Hindi ko gustong agawin ang posisyon ni Bongbong Marcos,” Duterte said on Friday, June 12, while attending Independence Day commemoration rites in Davao City.

(Doing any extra-constitutional means to overthrow the current administration is out of my hands, and I also do not want that. I do not want to snatch Bongbong Marcos’ position.)

Duterte said she was designated under the Constitution as the “constitutional successor” and that she vowed to “preserve and defend” it when she took office as vice president.

She further said she wants the public to see how “shameless” Marcos’ leadership is.

"Gusto ko makita ng taumbayan hanggang sa dulo kung gaano ka walanghiya si BBM," Duterte said.

(I want the public to see until the end how shameless BBM is.)

Duterte and Marcos were running mates in the 2022 elections, campaigning under the “UniTeam” banner.

Meanwhile, in her speech during the program, Duterte stressed that corruption in government also robs people of freedom and sovereignty.

“Ang korapsyon ay hindi lamang pagnanakaw ng pera. It steals opportunity, it steals dignity, and it steals hope. And ultimately, it steals freedom itself,” Duterte said.

Duterte, however, is facing an impeachment complaint that accuses her of graft and corruption, including the alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery, unexplained wealth and grave threats over her public remarks about Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

The pre-trial conference for Duterte’s impeachment trial is scheduled for June 18 at the Senate, while the trial is expected to begin on July 6.

On May 11, she was impeached by a majority of members of the House of Representatives, marking the second time impeachment articles had been filed against her since 2025.