“No Joke, no joke:” No Account-no-ability

Written by Sab Abad, Raphael Galvan, Jaime Luna, Ryan Julianne Monzon, Clarisse Andrea Ong, Allysa Tenefrancia, and Sunshine Villegas

“You can skin me alive, burn me, and throw my ashes to the wind. But let it be known: You will find me unbowed.” – Vice President “Inday” Sara Duterte

A sentence so bold. The public portrayed such statement as poetic and powerful, but behind the drama lies the unsettling truth: this is not about a woman fighting against oppression. Rather, it is about the vice president’s strategy, under the guise of political bravado, to turn the spotlight away from the serious allegations thrown at her by playing the victim. What we are witnessing is a well-practiced evasion of accountability, designed to distract and dominate the public’s view instead of facing the consequences of her actions. VP Sara’s reaction to the impeachment case—dismissing it as merely politicking—fuels the minds of her supporters.

It began with the Commission on Audit’s release of its annual audit report on the 2022 Office of the Vice President (OVP) budget, revealing a staggering P125 million in confidential funds spent merely within 11 days. VP Inday came under scrutiny from lawmakers and budget experts, but instead of offering clarity, she notably dodged questions during the House budget panel hearings and launched attacks against her critics. Rather than addressing the substance of the allegation, the VP argued that the complaints against her were filed with grave abuse of discretion and that the process was rushed to circumvent constitutional safeguards. Yet, the issue is not just about legal technicalities, but also about public trust. While these allegations are currently under investigation, her evasive stance speaks volumes.

On November 23, 2024, the OVP held a dramatic midnight press briefing. Triggered by her Chief of Staff’s transfer to the Women’s Correctional Facility, an emotionally-fueled VP cursed President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., his family, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Further, she declared that a hitman should assassinate them if she were to be killed, saying, “No joke. No joke.” This conduct shows a very unbecoming behavior of an executive official. While VP Inday later claimed that it was taken out of context, the comments are far from showing her leadership, revealing her usual tactic of rage to deflect the charges.

VP Sara is no stranger to controversies. Her response to the impeachment case is a reflection of how power can be used to distract and manipulate public sentiment. The VP has utilized media platforms to present her narrative, often framing the impeachment as a diversion from more pressing national issues. This tactic was seen in a video interview released by her office; she defended her decision to forego the question-and-answer portion of the OVP’s budget hearing, accusing lawmakers of using the opportunity to launch political attacks against her. She carried on to spin the narrative, casting herself as a victim of political persecution.

In the ears of an ordinary citizen, the constant mouths-off between the Marcoses and Dutertes may easily look like a petty squabble between two big political families, but for those with trained ears who know how to filter through the noise, the silence of the VP regarding her impeachment and the allegations of malversation of confidential funds is a deafening blast that requires more attention. The public only wants to hear the voice of accountability from our officers without all the drama. We can only hope that the VP will take the opportunity to vindicate herself by answering all the allegations thrown her way.

215 members of the lower house voted to impeach the VP. It begs the question of whether such a vote is reflective of the nation’s sentiment. Despite the issues surrounding VP Inday, the majority of Filipinos still support her. Pulse Asia Surveys reveal that 59% of Filipinos approve of her performance as the VP.

Amidst this political circus, there is a demand for a wiser voting populace. May the upcoming 2025 and 2028 elections seat leaders who prioritize integrity and the people’s welfare, demanding accountability and strengthening institutional resilience. Voting with more discernment and prior reading could be the key to safeguarding the nation’s future.