Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday condemned the allegations linking her husband, Mans Carpio, and her brother, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, to an alleged shabu shipment, calling the claims “political harassment.”
“This is all political harassment, political attacks,” Duterte said during an ambush interview. She pointed out that these accusations surfaced after she stepped down from her role at the Department of Education and began speaking out on national issues.
The Vice President’s comments follow testimony from former Bureau of Customs (BOC) officer Jimmy Guban, who claimed during a joint congressional hearing that a multi-billion-peso shabu shipment seized in 2018 was linked to Paolo Duterte, Mans Carpio, and former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang. Guban, who has been indicted in connection with the drug shipment, was temporarily released from detention to provide his testimony.
Paolo Duterte dismissed Guban’s claims as “baseless,” emphasizing that Guban lacks credibility, having previously been held in contempt by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for lying.
Vice President Duterte stated that her husband would address the allegations himself, maintaining a clear division between their respective responsibilities. “My husband, Mans Carpio, and I have agreed that he will answer the issues concerning him, and I will respond to those related to me, so our statements are clear,” she explained.
Regarding the political implications, Duterte labeled the attacks as a “distraction” from the country’s real issues, particularly the high cost of living. “The real problem is the rising cost of food, which is a basic need for our people. I hope we don’t get distracted by political noise and instead focus on the real issues facing our nation,” she urged.
Amid rising political tensions, Duterte said she anticipates a possible impeachment case against her. “Impeachment has been a topic we frequently hear about from friends inside. We expect it, given the heated political climate in our country,” she said, urging Filipinos not to be swayed by political distractions.
The Vice President also mentioned that she has not spoken with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. since resigning from her Cabinet posts in June, describing their relationship as “no label.”
“I’ve already answered this before. As for our relationship, I have no label for it. We haven’t seen each other or spoken,” Duterte said.