MANILA — Malacañang publicly agreed with Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s own reflection that she might have been better off remaining mayor of Davao City, sharpening political tensions as impeachment complaints against her continue to loom at the House of Representatives.
Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro said the administration concurred with Duterte-Carpio’s statement, stressing that the country would have benefited from a vice president who actively supports the President in governance.
“And about her message that if only she remained a mayor in Davao City, again, we agree with what she said. It would be better if she remained a mayor in Davao City. (We want) a vice president who will work, take action, and not go on vacation,” Castro said during a press briefing.
Castro underscored that the President should not be left to carry out governance responsibilities alone, suggesting that the vice president could have taken on a more proactive national role.
Duterte-Carpio earlier made the remarks during a conference in Davao City, where she turned emotional while recalling her years in local government service and her return to her hometown.
“When I saw my former colleagues in the city hall, I was nostalgic. I felt homesick for Davao, in Mindanao. So I was happy when I received the invitation because it gives me the opportunity to go home, see my mother, and talk to her in person,” Duterte-Carpio said.
“And it’s nostalgic for me to see my colleagues at the city hall again and I thought, what would have happened if I just ran for mayor and didn’t run for vice presidency,” she added.
Duterte-Carpio is currently facing impeachment complaints before the House of Representatives for alleged betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, bribery, and other high crimes./PN
