Even at Christmas, Sara can’t forgive enemies

MANILA, Philippines —  Despite telling Filipinos that Christmas is a time for forgiveness, Vice President Sara Duterte said this would not be the case for her.

“Christmas is a season for forgiveness, love and generosity. I keep on saying that it’s dependent on the person. But since I am the Vice President, I need to tell you that that’s the message and spirit of Christmas. But for me, I will not be forgiving anyone,” Duterte told the Office of the Vice President (OVP)’s beneficiaries in Lagawe, Ifugao on Tuesday.

“It’s all up to you if you will be forgiving. Not everyone’s the same. There are some who can forgive quickly, there are some who take time and there are those who take their grudges to the grave,” she added.

Duterte has yet to respond to queries about the impeachment complaints she is facing before Congress. She went ahead with her office’s scheduled thanksgiving programs in different satellite offices of the OVP nationwide as part of its anniversary and yearend activities.

Two impeachment complaints have been filed against her before the House of Representatives.

The Vice President earlier dared lawmakers and her critics to file an impeachment complaint against her.

“They can always try to do an impeachment. They can go ahead and squander government money to have the Vice President impeached, if that’s what they want, just to cover up the shortcomings and lies of the administration and its unfulfilled promises,” Duterte said at a press conference last month.

The Vice President added she would accept her impeachment if she is convicted of the allegations against her.

Duterte also appeared to have taken a swipe at President Marcos during her engagement in Ifugao, calling on voters to scrutinize the 2025 midterm election candidates and the people backing them.

“Let’s not believe the promises of politicians right away. We should take a look at who’s campaigning – the candidate. After the last election, were they able to fulfill the promises they made?” she said.

As she was facing the political and legal storm, Duterte had been outspoken against Marcos, his First Lady Liza and cousin Speaker Martin Romualdez – the subjects of her recent expletive-laden press conference that has since brought her under suspicion for grave threats and violating the anti-terrorism law.

Duterte has also bore down on Marcos’ failure to fulfill his campaign promise of bringing down the price of rice to P20 per kilo.