MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio pushed back against criticisms from the business sector linking her impeachment issues to the decline in foreign direct investments (FDI), saying the country’s economic woes cannot be pinned on her.
“Kung makikita ninyo, bagsak ang foreign direct investment sa ating bayan. Kaya ‘wag nila ako gawing rason kung bakit pangit ang takbo ng ating ekonomiya ngayon,” Duterte-Carpio said in a press conference in Davao City, directly addressing the Makati Business Club (MBC).
The MBC earlier raised concerns that the Senate’s suspension of her impeachment proceedings could erode investor confidence and negatively impact the country’s business climate.
Duterte-Carpio, however, dismissed the impeachment complaint as an ineffective tool for accountability, stressing that it merely results in disqualification or removal from office.
“Walang penalties diyan dahil walang kaso diyan,” she said. “Kung gusto talaga nila ng accountability, ay mag-file ng mga kaso sa mga korte,” the Vice President stated.
Responding to Duterte-Carpio’s remarks, Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro criticized the Vice President’s stance, saying she continues to disassociate herself from the administration’s efforts.
“Kung ‘yan ang gusto niyang naratibo, wala tayong magagawa. Puro naman siguro negatibo ang sasabihin ng bise presidente sa pamahalaan,” Castro said. “Pinatunayan niya na wala siyang balak tumulong sa Pangulo.”
The exchange underscores the widening rift within the national leadership, with Duterte-Carpio positioning herself independently amid growing political and economic scrutiny./PN
