MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio admitted she resigned from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet not because of poor performance but because of what she called a “professional crisis” marked by political hostility and unfair treatment from within the administration.
Speaking at a forum in Quezon City on Thursday, Duterte-Carpio revealed that while she served as Education Secretary, she endured persistent attacks despite her focus on public service.
“Professional crisis (ko) ‘yung naging Vice President ako. I was serving in the Cabinet of BBM at nagtataka ako bakit ako inaatake. Wala naman akong ginagawa (sa kanila),” she said.
The Vice President said she was disheartened that even as she performed her duties at both the Department of Education and the Office of the Vice President, certain quarters within the administration continued to undermine her.
“Nagtatrabaho lang ako at ‘yun ang commitment ko din sa bayan. Pero kahit nakaupo ako as Cabinet Secretary sa Department of Education, sa Office of the Vice President, ang ginagawa nila nagro-roll out ng project, inaatake ako ng administrasyon. ‘Yun ‘yung professional crisis na pinagdaanan ko,” Duterte-Carpio added.
She described the experience as a period of introspection that made her realize her worth as a public official and the injustice of how she was being treated.
“It took me a while to realize my worth and value as a government official na hindi dapat ganito ang ginagawa sa akin kasi wala naman akong ginagawang masama sa administrasyon, kay BBM man o kahit kanino man,” she said.
Duterte-Carpio said her eventual resignation in July 2024 was her way of refusing to “endure” the situation any longer.
“Medyo tumagal din ng ilang buwan bago ako nagdesisyon na hindi tama ang ginagawa sa akin, hindi tama ‘yung ginagawa sa opisina kung saan ako nakaupo. I will not endure ‘yung ganoon at hindi rin ako hihingi ng some sort of peace na parang huwag niyong gawin sa akin ito. Ang desisyon ko lang, aalis ako pero bahala na kayo kung anong gusto niyong gawin,” she said.
Her resignation marked a turning point in the widening rift between the Marcos and Duterte political camps. Since stepping down, Duterte-Carpio has continued her programs under the Office of the Vice President, including livelihood and environmental initiatives, while frequently alluding to the political pressures she faced during her time in the Cabinet./PN
