Vice President Sara Duterte assured members of the House of Representatives that they have nothing to fear in voting on the impeachment complaint against her, urging them to base their decision on the evidence presented rather than on concerns of political retaliation.

The vice president made the statement in response to circulating reports that some congressmen critical of her would vote in favor of the impeachment out of fear that she would go after them should she survive the complaint.

She maintained that she has never been a vindictive politician and that, if she were in their position, she would weigh the merits of the case rather than the personality involved.

"Unang-una, matagal na ako sa politika. Hindi ako kilalang tao na, or politiko na vindictive. Alam 'yan ng mga taga-Davao. Nagkaroon din ako ng mabigat na kalaban noon si Speaker Nograles. Pero hindi ako kilala na isang vindictive na tao. Tapos pangalawa, pag ako congressman, hindi ako titingin sa kung vindictive ba o hindi 'yung isang tao. Titingin ako sa ebidensya. Meron bang ebidensya o wala? Wala naman. Nung finile 'yung complaint, walang ebidensya at all 'yung nakalagay doon. Lahat 'yun parang, ano man tawag nung abugado sa kanila? Parang, kung baga allegations lang lahat. Nothing to support the allegations. So 'yun 'yung dapat na tinitingnan nila. May basehan ba ito o wala?" Vice President Sara Duterte said.

(First of all, I have been in politics for a long time. I am not known as a vindictive person or politician. The people of Davao know that. I also had a tough rival before in Speaker Nograles, but I am not known as a vindictive person. Second, if I were a congressman, I would not look at whether a person is vindictive or not. I would look at the evidence. Is there evidence or none? There is none. When the complaint was filed, there was no evidence at all included there. Everything was — what do the lawyers call it? — just allegations. Nothing to support the allegations. So that is what they should be looking at. Does this have basis or not?)

The Vice President also addressed concerns from lawmakers that their districts might not receive budget allocations should they refuse to support efforts to remove her from office, saying there is no money left in the first place.

"Zero na talaga. Wala ng pera. Uy! Merong impeachment o wala, wala ng pera na pwedeng ibigay. Pag binigay pa 'yan nila ang pang-MOOE sa mga congressman, hindi na magfu-function ang gobyerno." Vice President Sara Duterte said.

(It is really zero. There is no more money. Whether there is an impeachment or not, there is no money left to give. If they still give the MOOE [Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses] to the congressmen, the government will no longer function.)