Speaker Martin Romualdez had absolutely nothing to do with my decision to run for Vice President.

To say that he “tremendously helped in pushing for” my Vice Presidential bid is acutely inaccurate — an insult to thousands of groups and individuals who incessantly implored me to reconsider an earlier decision not to join national politics.

And it was Senator Imee Marcos who eventually persuaded me to run as Vice President — and it was a decision sealed only after President Bongbong Marcos agreed to the conditions I set before running for VP.

There was no Speaker Romualdez in the picture.

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. was obviously badly informed or made to believe a lie.

Meanwhile, a person who cannot distinguish between attack and humor has no place in politics — especially if one fails to understand that political bickering is just a facet of democracy and should not be used to equate with governance.

On the one hand, how the recent political developments have become an opportunity for sycophants is quite amusing.

Let me reiterate this, however — the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is stable and strong.

It has my all-out support and the support of the majority of the Filipino people.

Thank you.

Sara Z. Duterte
Vice President of the Philippines
Secretary of the Department of Education
7 June 2023