Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio dismissed as a new line of attack from her political detractors the recent allegations that she and her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, received guns from controversial religious leader Apollo Quiboloy.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Duterte said she no longer finds it surprising that her name was dragged into this narrative. The accusation stemmed from the testimony of a certain “Rene,” who claimed to be a former member of Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
“Sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, naging kagawian na ang pag-atake at pagbato ng sari-saring isyu laban sa Bise Presidente. Marahil, sapagkat ang Bise Presidente ang tumatayong pangunahing hadlang sa mga nangangarap maging pangulo,” Duterte-Carpio said.
(In the history of the Philippines, it has been a tradition to attack and hurl various issues against the Vice President. I guess it’s because the Vice President stands as the primary stumbling block to those who aspire to become president.)
At a Senate hearing last Monday, Rene alleged that the Dutertes would sometimes visit the Glory Mountain estate of Quiboloy via private chopper to receive “bags of guns” from the KOJC leader. The vice president said she would rather focus on her work and not allow herself to be distracted by it.
“Hindi ko ikakagulat kung dumami pa ang mga kaso, imbestigasyon, testigo, paratang, atake, at paninira laban sa akin sa mga susunod na araw, linggo, buwan, at mga taon,” Duterte-Carpio stated.
(I will not be surprised if there will be more cases, investigations, witnesses, accusations, attacks and defamation against me in the coming days, weeks, months and years.)
“Naniniwala ako na may tamang panahon para sa lahat. Panahon ngayon ng aking pagtatrabaho. Tutuparin ko ang sinumpaang tungkulin. Uunahin ko ang mga tunay na suliranin. Uunahin ko ang Pilipino,” she added.
(I believe there is a time for everything. Now is the time to work. I will fulfill my sworn duty. I will prioritize real problems. I will prioritize the Filipino.)