VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte on Thursday expressed confidence that she will not be implicated in the ongoing flood control projects controversy, even as she accused unnamed groups of attempting to link her and former President Rodrigo Duterte to the systemic corruption.
Speaking at a press conference for the World Pandesal Day celebration at Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City, the vice president acknowledged that the investigation’s scope would likely be broadened to include her and her father.
When asked directly if she thought investigators would try to link the former President to the controversy, she replied in Filipino, “Oo, at saka sa akin (Yes, and me, as well).”
The vice president believes the attempt to drag her name into the issue is politically motivated, specifically targeting her alliance with her father and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.
“I think they’ll try to connect it to me because Senator Bong Go is an ally of former President Duterte. That’s probably where they’ll try to make up a story—me on one side, PRRD in the middle, and Senator Go on the other,” she said.
Despite believing some parties might try to create a narrative against her, she remains certain she will not face any legitimate charges.
“Sigurado ako hindi aabot sa akin ‘yung flood control scandal (I’m certain the flood control scandal won’t reach me),” Duterte asserted.
Duterte stressed that any attempt to link her to the anomaly is baseless, pointing out that neither the Office of the Vice President (OVP) nor the Department of Education (DepEd)—which she headed until July—handles flood control projects.
She cited statements from contractors and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, who have publicly confirmed she had no involvement.“
First of all, there are no flood control projects under the OVP or the Department of Education… Even the contractors and Secretary Bonoan have said I have no projects whatsoever with the DPWH,” she reiterated.
The vice president concluded by maintaining that despite her high-profile position, she has never participated in any dealings concerning such infrastructure projects. “Hindi ako sumasali sa ganyan (I don’t get involved in those things),” she added.
Screengrab photo TV5
