'Indie Sara': Neither admin nor opposition

Vice President Sara Duterte. Photo from Official Facebook Page of VP Inday Sara Duterte.

VICE President Sara Duterte said that she was neither for the administration nor the opposition but would rather serve the interests of Filipinos.

In a chance interview with reporters at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) during the Pasidungog 2024 in Cebu City, Duterte was asked if she would consider herself part of a "new opposition."

Speaking in Filipino, Duterte, who resigned as education secretary, said that "in her job, her personality and principle, she does not move for the administration, but neither is she for the opposition or whatever politics that is."

She said her moves were based on "what I can do to help my constituents and what is beneficial for them."

Duterte's statement comes after her supporters, including former Palace spokesman Harry Roque, said the vice president could lead a "new opposition" after stepping down as head of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Duterte has yet to disclose the reason for her resignation.

The vice president said she would continue to focus on the turnover of the DepEd and the continuation of projects under the OVP.

In a previous interview, Duterte said that she would make her plans fully known after July 19, when her resignation from the DepEd becomes official.

Duterte said that she had not recommended anyone to be her replacement, saying that the position was one of trust and confidence.

She reiterated that the OVP had not requested confidential funds in the proposed 2025 National Expenditure Program, which, according to the Development Budget Coordinating Committee, was at P6.2 trillion.

"For the Office of the Vice President, wala kaming proposal for confidential funds (we do not have any proposal for confidential funds)," Duterte said.

It was last year when several lawmakers flagged the OVP and DepEd's proposed P600 million in confidential funds that resulted in a debate between Duterte's supporters and her critics.

In the end, Duterte decided to scrap the allotment, which was reallocated to other security agencies.

The OVP's Pasidungog is an event where the office recognizes its partners from the national and local government units, as well as nongovernment organizations, private sector partners and private individuals who helped implement its programs.