MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday urged government officials to stop engaging in politics and prioritize peace, order and national development as her impeachment trial continued before the Senate.
Duterte made the remarks during an interview while attending the Araw ng Bigaan and town fiesta celebration in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. Her impeachment trial opened on Monday and is scheduled to run for 92 trial days.
“Unang-una, ipinapaabot ko sa ating mga opisyal ng pamahalaan na itigil na muna natin ang pamumulitika at pananawagan nila ng transparency at accountability, pero ang totoong pakay nila ay ang kanilang sariling political interest,” Duterte said.
She also urged government officials to focus on improving the lives of Filipinos.
“Pangalawa, sa ating mga opisyal pa rin ng pamahalaan na tutukan natin ang kaayusan, kapayapaan, at kaunlaran ng ating bayan. Matagal na nag-aantay ang ating mga kababayan na mas maging maayos ‘yung kanilang buhay,” she said.
Duterte also encouraged Filipinos not to lose hope and reminded young people to remain disciplined and finish their education.
“Huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa sa kakayahan natin na maging isang mayaman na bansa,” she said.
Duterte did not attend the opening day of her impeachment trial on Monday. She went to the Senate on Tuesday to meet with her legal team and briefly addressed reporters without taking questions.
During that appearance, she again described the impeachment proceedings as a “bloodbath,” saying, “In this bloodbath and bludgeoning, I will be bloodied but unbowed.”
The Senate impeachment court concluded the first week of trial on Wednesday after hearing testimony from the House prosecution’s first witness, National Bureau of Investigation senior agent John Mark Calilung.
Prosecutors presented Calilung to support allegations that Duterte issued threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.