Sara Duterte's mother asking her 'return' to Davao, Baste for national post

Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday said her mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman, has asked her to return to local politics instead of running for a national position in the 2028 elections.

Duterte also said that her mother floated the idea of Davao Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, her brother, running for a national post.

“Nagsabi talaga ‘yung nanay ko na pinapauwi niya ako ng Davao at si Baste na lang ang patakbuhin sa national elections,” she said.

(My mother really said that she wanted me to return to Davao and that Baste should be the one to run in the national elections.)

She was asked if she was considering fielding Baste Duterte for a national position as an alternative for her in the elections following her brother's testimony before the Senate impeachment court.

“Sa pamilya namin ‘yun lang ang napag-usapan… Hindi napagusapan.... Sinabi ng nanay ko, sabi niya umuwi ka dito sa Davao tapos bahala na si Baste diyan sa national,” she said.

(In our family, that was the only thing that was discussed… It wasn’t discussed. It was said. My mother said it. She said, “Come home here to Davao, then let Baste handle things there at the national level.”)

“Wala pa akong iniisip na tao na sasabihin ko na tumakbo ka. Sa tingin ko sa ugali ko naman, wala akong sasabihan na tumakbo ka,” she added... Kasi para sa akin, and personal experience ko ito, ang pagtakbo talaga dapat personal na desisyon," she added.

(I haven’t thought of anyone whom I would tell to run. I think, given my personality, I wouldn’t tell anyone to run. For me, and this is based on my personal experience, running for office should really be a personal decision. First of all, the job is not easy. Second, campaigning and elections are not easy.)

Castro reacts

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, meanwhile, had a reaction to Duterte's statements asking the Vice President to "work first" before thinking of the national elections.

"Trabaho muna para sa mga kababayan natin ang unahin hindi puro pangangampanya para mai-angat ang mga sarili," Castro said.

(Prioritize working for our fellow citizens first, rather than focusing solely on campaigning to advance one's own interests.)

"Wala na ngang naitutulong sa bayan, nakakabigat pa sa ekonomiya ang mga taong puro paninira lang ang alam. Ang totoong public servant...masipag umaksyon para sa bayan...hindi pwedeng walang alam ang laging panangga sa ibinabatong anomalya sa kanya," she added.

(People who do nothing but badmouth others not only fail to contribute to the nation but also become a burden on the economy. A true public servant is proactive in working for the country; one cannot simply be clueless when defending oneself against allegations of wrongdoing.)

Duterte is the subject of an impeachment trial, where she is accused of committing grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and others, misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and bribery.

She is also facing three counts of grave threats before a Quezon City court.

Duterte said that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his administration are behind the allegations against her.

“Administrasyon. Sino ang nasa likod ng paninira sa akin? Administrasyon. Ang Palasyo, si BBM,” Duterte said.

(The administration. Who is behind the smear campaign against me? The administration. The Palace, BBM.)

Castro said the allegations against Duterte are her own making.

“Sila ang nakinabang sa bawat sentimo na nakukuha nila o nadedeposito sa kanilang account ng mga banyaga at diumano'y drug lords,” she said.

(They are the ones who benefited from every centavo they received or that was allegedly deposited into their accounts by foreigners and alleged drug lords.)

In September, dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. claimed that he delivered cash to her, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, and former President Rodrigo Duterte on former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco’s instructions.

Duterte has denied the allegations against her.

Velasco’s camp, meanwhile, said the allegations against him had “no basis.” —VAL, GMA News