Eagle Slashed by her Own Claws

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​For the past four years under the Office of the Vice President (OVP), VP Sara Duterte-Zimmerman has now declared her aspiration to be a candidate for the presidency in 2028. Could being second-highest in the government lead her to win? A corrupt contender who can not justify her role in the country, yet Filipinos still believe in her and her clan’s ideologies — building the Philippines far from corruption, but has no good platforms, agreed on human rights violations, and with alleged confidential fund misuse.

​Six terms is a shame displayed to the public eye. An embarrassment for over 32 million Filipinos who voted for her. A lady with no future to uphold; a disgrace to the next administration.

Secretary of Nothing

The Vice President was appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) by her former ally, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., instituting the ‘Matatag’ curriculum and enhancing the learning capacity of pupils from kindergarten to grade 10 (K-10 revision). Later, she stepped down from her position, leaving only a show of fake empathy towards teachers. A person who must shape the identity of learners is stepping back from responsibilities — nothing but a contender of pretending.

Her idea of writing the “Isang Kaibigan” book to be distributed in remote areas is only an outcome of embezzlement. The money came from public funds held by someone who seeks identity. She never started campaigning, but instead of educational inputs, her name is written on it. A scheme with no profound basis, but it lacks the importance of knowing the real issue of illiteracy among youth.

Hypocritical Gender Analysis

Back in the 2022 elections, her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, had mentioned that the then-Vice President Leni Robredo would be a downgrade as president. Telling the “woman” has no right to lead the country. Filipinos who have hopes on their reign also concurred that she was “lutang, sabaw, dilawan, pinklawan” and many names. A hypocritical behavior — now in 2026, they choose a gender they hated before, merely because of her surname “Duterte” painted on her. They choose a name over the background, principles, and accountability. A name that has a traumatic impact on some, a dynasty that never changed the view of corruption.

Their supporters are opposed to good governance; choosing her signifies personal biases. Leading a country does not involve gender identity. As “Women’s Month” is near, we commemorate women who have contributed to different fields. Women who laid their foundation, ready to take initiative, those who are an inborn leader, and a testament that women can be above men. But not the woman with no accurate credentials, an insufferable leader, a nepo who takes power for granted.

VP or Spectator?

There is no accurate role on whether she still vowed as Vice President. The Philippines had faced numerous crises, including the issue in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Flood Control Corruption, conflicts in the DepEd curriculum, among others. But the VP was nowhere to be found. You can count on fingers the works she upholds. She had a dispute with the President, informing one to assassinate him, his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta - Marcos, and the House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she died. She had time visiting her father in The Hague, but has no time to fulfill her duties in the country. Work ethic is what matters. The Philippines does not need a nepo who can not fulfill her obligations.

Overall, background is important in choosing a candidate. It is not the power nor the fame. The country is submerged in various controversies, and we seek change. And change comes only if you want change. She was an eagle, spreading her incomparable wings. The more she flies, the more dangerous it becomes. Corruption is a never-ending root of the problem. Being open-minded about the cause is an advantage of good governance. Even the smallest prey can dodge the threat of an eagle filled with greed, miserably slashed by her own claws. [F]

via Littlemoss, Staff Writer