
Lawmakers respond to VP Sara Duterte's 'God Save the Philippines' statement amid impeachment
Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña responded to Vice President Sara Duterte's call for divine intervention with criticism, suggesting that she had failed to save key areas under her leadership, including the Department of Education (DepEd) and the West Philippine Sea.
Cendaña warned against invoking God's name when Duterte had not acted on corruption or other pressing issues.
Get the latest news instantly on your phone—join the Filipino Times WhatsApp channel now!
He also condemned her lighthearted comparison of the impeachment complaint to a failed relationship, asserting that public service and accountability should take precedence.
Cendaña further criticized Duterte's denial of accusations regarding her involvement in an alleged assassination plot, claiming it deepened her political downfall.
Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, along with Cendaña, stressed the importance of due process over calls for resignation.
Barbers also rejected claims that signatories of the impeachment complaint were bribed, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
He clarified that President Marcos had no influence over the House's actions, and echoed that all Filipinos pray for the country's well-being, though he suggested that Duterte's use of 'God save the Philippines' might simply be a slogan.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Filipino Times
2 days ago
- Filipino Times
78% of Filipinos support impeachment trial for VP Sara Duterte — OCTA survey
A majority of Filipinos support subjecting Vice President Sara Duterte to an impeachment trial, according to a new national survey conducted by OCTA Research. The survey, conducted from April 20 to 24, revealed that 78% of respondents favor the conduct of a Senate impeachment trial for Duterte, while 13% oppose it and 9% remain undecided or expressed no opinion. Regional and Demographic Breakdown Support for the impeachment trial was strongest in the Visayas (87%), followed by the National Capital Region (83%), Mindanao (77%), and Balance Luzon (73%). Notably, unanimous support was recorded in the Cordillera Administrative Region (100%), while high levels of support were also observed in Western Visayas (95%) and the Davao Region (95%). Disagreement was relatively low across most regions, though notable dissent was seen in Zamboanga Peninsula (34%), CARAGA (25%), Central Mindanao (25%), CALABARZON (21%), and BARMM (20%). Support remained consistently high across all socio-economic classes, with the strongest backing from adults aged 25–34 (84%) and 65–74 (82%). OCTA also noted that 91% of Filipinos are aware of the impeachment case filed against Vice President Duterte. Background and Legal Developments The impeachment complaint, signed by 215 members of the House of Representatives in February, accuses Duterte of graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, and other high crimes. While the House transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate the same day, the upper chamber deferred its deliberation, with Senate President Chiz Escudero saying the reading of the complaint was postponed to June 11, ahead of Congress' sine die adjournment on June 13. Vice President Duterte has publicly welcomed the opportunity to address the allegations, stating she is 'thankful for the chance to clear her name.' However, she has also filed a petition before the Supreme Court, seeking to block the impeachment trial on constitutional grounds. A separate Social Weather Stations–Stratbase poll released on May 29 found that 88% of Filipinos believe Duterte should directly respond to the charges and clarify issues of corruption.


Filipino Times
3 days ago
- Filipino Times
Angara admits flaws in K-12 program, says Congress to decide on its future
Education Secretary Sonny Angara acknowledged on Friday that the implementation of the senior high school (SHS) curriculum under the K to 12 program has faced significant challenges over the past decade. Angara cited the overwhelming number of subjects and the lack of flexibility for students as among the major issues. 'Hindi maganda ang naging implementation nitong nakaraang dekada. Masyadong marami ang subjects at nakahon masyado ang mga bata. Hindi sila nakakapili ng subject/s,' he said. Despite these shortcomings, Angara stressed that only Congress can decide whether the SHS program should continue or be removed. This comes after Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada filed Senate Bill 3001 or the Rationalized Basic Education Act, which seeks to remove SHS from the current education setup, citing its failure to meet its intended goals. In response, the Department of Education (DepEd) plans to pilot a 'strengthened' SHS curriculum in 841 schools deemed highly ready. Under the revised curriculum set for School Year 2025–2026, the number of core SHS subjects will be reduced from 15 to just five: effective communication, life skills, general mathematics, general science, and Filipino history and society. Still, Angara reiterated that any final decision on the program's future lies with the legislature: 'Ang desisyon kung ipagpapatuloy ang SHS o hindi ay Kongreso lamang po ang makakapagsabi at makakapag-pasya.'


Filipino Times
5 days ago
- Filipino Times
VP Duterte extends greetings for Eid al-Adha
Vice President Sara Duterte has extended her warm greetings to the Filipino Muslim community as they observe Eid al-Adha, one of the most significant Islamic holidays marked by prayer, reflection, and the spirit of sacrifice. In a message released Friday, the Vice President highlighted the values of faith, sacrifice, and compassion as central themes of the celebration — values that transcend religion and reflect the shared ideals of the Filipino people. 'Nawa magsilbing paalala sa ating lahat ang kahulugan ng sakripisyo, pananampalataya, at kabutihang-loob,' Duterte said. 'Ang diwa ng Eid al-Adha ay nagsisilbing paalala ng lakas ng loob, pagbibigayan, at malasakit sa kapwa—mga katangiang lubhang mahalaga sa kasalukuyang panahon.' Duterte emphasized unity, mutual respect, and acceptance as pillars of national solidarity and progress. She also acknowledged the continuing contributions of Muslim Filipinos to the country's cultural and spiritual heritage. The Vice President concluded her message with a blessing, saying, 'Tanggapin sana natin ang biyaya ni Allah sa lahat ng panahon. Eid Mubarak!' Her statement ends with a reaffirmation of service to faith, country, and family: 'Ang lahat ng ginagawa natin ay para sa Diyos, sa Bayan, at sa bawat Pamilyang Pilipino.'