Vice President Sara Duterte issued a blistering statement on June 2, warning that Philippine democracy is under severe threat as the administration weaponizes government institutions and public funds against the opposition. 

“Nakikita natin kung paano ginagamit ang mga institusyon ng gobyerno at ang pera ng taumbayan laban sa anumang oposisyon.” Vice President Sara Duterte said on his video statement.

Breaking her silence amid her ongoing Senate impeachment trial, Duterte accused those in power of treating critics as enemies and using state machinery to silence dissent rather than addressing urgent national problems. 

"A government that fears dissent is not demonstrating strength. It is revealing insecurity," Duterte declared, emphasizing that a healthy democracy requires a free and protected opposition.

Duterte outlined three "disturbing realities" currently gripping the nation: the deliberate diversion of attention away from the ongoing flood control controversy, the blatant disregard for constitutional safeguards to fuel a politically motivated impeachment against her, and a relentless pursuit of power disguised as Charter Change. 

“The current state of our nation reveals three disturbing realities: first, the effort to divert attention from legitimate questions surrounding the flood control controversy; second, the willingness to disregard constitutional safeguards in pursuit of a politically motivated impeachment; and third, the relentless pursuit of greater political power under the guise of Charter Change.” VP Duterte emphasized.

She heavily defended the independence of government institutions, asserting that members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives must remain completely free to perform their constitutional duties according to their conscience, entirely unhindered by threats, pressure, or intimidation.

“I have always believed that the independence of our institutions must be protected. This includes not only the Senate and the House of Representatives as institution, but every Senator and member of the house must be free to perform his or her constitutional duty according to conscience, free from threats, pressure, or any form of intimidation.” She said.

The Vice President concluded her address with a sharp reminder that the Filipino people deserve a leadership focused on solving problems, not silencing its critics. 

“The Filipino people deserve a government focused on solving problems, not silencing critics; on strengthening institutions, not bending them to political ends; and on serving the nation, not perpetuating power.” The Vice President concluded.

Reaffirming her stance against the current political landscape, Duterte stressed that dissent does not weaken a democracy, but rather, democracy is crippled when those in power become afraid of the people's voices. 

The statement signals a widening, volatile rift in the country's top political official as her legal team simultaneously fights to dismiss the historic impeachment charges in the Senate.