Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte (Photo courtesy of OVP)
MANILA – Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte urged her supporters on Wednesday to divert their attention in preparing for the economic implications that the war in the Middle East and Ukraine may bring to the Philippines.
This, after supporters of Duterte started posting green ribbons on social media amid the issues being hurled against her in connection with the request and spending of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
In a statement, Duterte said politics should be set aside and focus more on ensuring that every family is secured and stable in the coming months.
"Naiintindihan ko ang inyong pagkadismaya at galit hinggil sa mga isyu tulad ng pakikialam sa budget at usapin ng confidential fund. Ang mga hamon sa pamumulitika ay maliit lamang kumpara sa mas matinding pagsubok sa ating ekonomiya bilang epekto ng posibleng paglaki ng tunggalian ng Israel at Hamas, at tumatagal na digmaan sa pagitan ng Ukraine at Russia (I understand your frustration and anger on issues like the interference in the budget and the confidential fund. The challenges in politics is so small compared to the greater economic challenges as an effect of the possible worsening of conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the persisting war between Ukraine and Russia)," Duterte said.
Among those who showed their support to the Vice President was Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste who posted in his Instagram a photo of a green ribbon with "Sara" and "I stand solidly with my Vice President" in it.
Duterte said these expressions of support and trust gives her the inspiration to continue serving the country.
She, however, said unity and preparedness should come first especially that the price of commodities continue to spike.
"May oras para sa lahat at hindi ito ang panahon ng paninira at pamumulitika lalo na malayo pa ang susunod na eleksyon (There is a time for everything and this is not the time for detraction and politicking especially the next (national) elections is still long way ahead)," Duterte noted.
The OVP and DepEd were among the agencies that were stripped of CIF at the House of Representatives to reallocate it instead to law enforcement agencies. (PNA)
