VP Sara mentions Rama in message to Pinoys

CEBU, Philippines — Even if she had a time machine and ran for re-election as mayor of Davao City instead during the last election, Vice President Sara Duterte said the outcome would still be the same, with mayors becoming helpless, just like Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama.

VP Sara shared this to Filipinos gathered outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague in the Netherlands who were there to support her father, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

The Vice President said she had been reflecting on the decisions she made in the previous National and Local Elections as many have pointed out that her decision to tandem with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was a wrong move.

However, VP Sara said that even if Marcos Jr. did not win and it was the “Pink” or “Yellow”—without naming who—the outcome would still be the same.

“Gusto ko man gumawa ng time machine… Naghunahuna ko ani pirmi sa akong kahimtang, kung babalik ako at hindi ako tumakbong President (Vice) at tumakbo akong mayor, ganun din, mananalo yung pink or yellow. Kunwari lang...kunwari nanalo yung pink at yellow...hahabulin pa rin nila si President Duterte,” VP Sara said.

“Eh mayor lang ako nun, ibig sabihin, wala akong office na pwedeng panghahawakan,” she added.

This, as VP Sara saw how easy it is to suspend and even dismiss mayors who are going against the current administration, she said.

“Dahil napakadali sa kanila, kung nakikita ninyo, ilan na ang mga mayors na kalaban nila, sinuspend nila, tinanggal nila sa pwesto.. Kinsay taga Cebu diri???” VP Sara stressed.

Some people in the crowd then blurted out, “Mayor Rama! Mike Rama!”

“Inyong mayor (Mike Rama) gitanggal nila!… So kun babalik ako, nanalo ang pink, nanalo ang yellow, mayor ako, wala.. Eh, tumakbo ako, naging Vice President ako, nanalo ako.. hinabol nila si President Duterte, pero Vice President ako,” VP Sara added.

This is the problem that the current administration has, she said.

“Yan ang malaking problema nila ngayon. Dahil, kailangan nila akong alisin sa pwesto para magawa nila ang kagustuhan nilang huwag na bumaba sa pwesto,” VP Sara said.

Just recently, and prior her father's arrest, VP Sara was in Cebu City to join some of Mayor Mike Rama’s campaign activities, where she thanked those who continue to express love for her and her family.

VP Sara endorsed and fully supported Mayor Rama and his running mate Donaldo Hontiveros, even the rest of their slate, despite Cebu City South District Representative Edu Rama, nephew of the dismissed mayor, being among those who signed the petition for her impeachment.

In a brief interview with former Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, he said he was not able to hear VP Sara’s quick talk with the Filipinos in The Hague but said that regardless, the fight continues on the ground.

Rama had earlier said that he had “crossed the Rubicon” and is now taking the lead in the Visayas in fighting for what is right and just—not for himself, but for the children’s future.

Rama, who also shared this on his Facebook post, said he is looking at his youngest son, MJ, together with his cousins and the rest of the children, which gives him the drive to move on.

“Luoy, ug dili ko musukol sa unsay insakto karong panahuna… Unsa na lang kaugmaon aning mga bata kung dili ko mo barug para sa insakto? Busa ako mu-barug sa insakto para sa atong kabataan,” Rama said, who was on his way to attend the prayer rally yesterday, in support of the former President.

As the National and Local Elections approaches, VP Sara said that while she appreciates the gestures of support for her and her father, more than anyone, it’s the country itself that needs the Filipinos’ support.

“Mas mahalaga na suportahan natin ang ating bayan, ang kanyang kapayapaan at kaunlaran,” VP Sara said, as she feels that the country is going down.

VP Sara said the NLE is their chance to make things right.

“May chance tayo ngayon. Sa darating na election,” VP Sara said, urging people to vote not for those who come from prominent families and political clans but for candidates based on their capacity and ability to keep their promises to the people.

VP Sara also reminded everyone not to sell their votes.

“Moving forward, anong pwede nating gawin? Wag ibenta ang inyong boto. Sabihan nyo ang ating mga kababayan... wag nyo ipagpalit ang boto nyo para lang sa pera. May chance tayo ngayon sa Election 2025,” VP Sara stressed. — (FREEMAN)