Overview: Duterte’s stance on calls for resignation
Vice President Sara Duterte has made a clear distinction between questioning a president’s performance and demanding his immediate resignation. In a recent press briefing in Zamboanga City, she said that she is not urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to resign, describing such calls as pointless. The vice president instead emphasized accountability, proposing actions that she believes would better illuminate the president’s fitness to lead and the government’s handling of key national matters.
The drug-test issue as a test of trust
Duterte framed the topic of the president’s capacity through a provocative lens: she did not call for Marcos to resign, but she did call for a test of accountability—specifically, a drug test for the president. She described this as a living, open challenge that, in her view, remains unmet. Her position rests on the principle that public trust is earned through demonstrable acts and transparent scrutiny, especially from the Comelec, civil servants, or independent bodies when concerns about fitness to lead arise.
Why a drug test, according to Duterte
While not every public figure endorses personal medical or drug testing for heads of state, Duterte’s suggestion underscores a broader political message: leaders must be subject to clear, verifiable standards during periods of doubt. The vice president frames the issue as a matter of governance and national integrity, rather than as a political stunt. The idea is to restore public confidence by removing ambiguity about the president’s ability to perform the duties of the office.
The 2025 budget and constitutional concerns
Duterte also weighed in on the controversial 2025 national budget, labeling certain aspects of its passage as “doubtful” and a possible “culpable violation of the constitution.” She did not mince words about what she sees as a misstep in the legislative process and the executive branch’s duty to safeguard constitutional provisions. For voters and observers, the budget debate raises questions about fiscal discipline, transparency, and the proper checks and balances that should guide national spending.
What she wants to be answered
Beyond the budget, Duterte stressed that questions about presidential capacity should be answered through accountability mechanisms rather than through reactive political attacks. Her remarks imply a preference for formal inquiries or public investigations that can clarify the administration’s stance and actions, while avoiding partisan theatrics that could distract from governance and results.
Addressing critics: Barzaga and independent thinking
The topic of resignation has been a rallying point for some opposition lawmakers, including Cavite’s 4th District Representative Francisco Barzaga. Duterte denied any suggestion that Barzaga was acting on her orders or that she could “control” his political stance. She praised Barzaga’s “independent mind and principles,” arguing that respectful disagreement and diverse viewpoints are integral to a healthy democratic system. The exchange highlights how different factions interpret the president’s performance and the appropriate channels for accountability.
The path forward: accountability over calls for removal
Ultimately, Duterte’s message centers on accountability, governance, and public trust. She contends that a resignation call without clear, achievable benchmarks would be futile. By urging concrete actions—such as a public, verifiable assessment of leadership fitness and thorough constitutional compliance checks—she believes the government can address concerns more constructively than through perpetual resignation rhetoric.
Implications for the political landscape
As the national conversation continues, Duterte’s statements contribute to a broader discourse about leadership, ethics, and constitutional fidelity in the Philippines. Stakeholders across the political spectrum will watch how the administration responds to questions surrounding the budget, leadership capacity, and the standards by which public officials are measured. The balance between legitimate scrutiny and political maneuvering remains a central question as the 2025 horizon approaches.
Bottom line
From calls for resignation to demands for accountability, Vice President Sara Duterte’s stance signals a preference for transparent, enforceable standards over headline-driven political battles. Whether the public will see movement on the issues she highlighted—drug-testing discussions, budget legitimacy, and constitutional compliance—remains to be seen. Her approach suggests that the real test of leadership is not rhetoric, but results and verifiable integrity.
