VP Sara Duterte calls on Marcos to resign; Palace questions motive

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 13, 2026

Photo courtesy: Multiple Sources

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to resign, accusing his administration of corruption, abuse and political harassment as she faces multiple legal and political challenges.

Speaking to supporters on Sept. 11, Duterte branded Marcos the “problem of the nation” and urged the public to continue calling for his resignation. She also accused the President of corruption and abuse, allegations she did not substantiate during the speech.

Duterte linked her call to what she described as a broader campaign against her family, citing the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte and her ongoing impeachment proceedings.

She also compared Marcos with his late father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and accused the current administration of failing Filipinos affected by corruption and other national problems.

Malacañang pushed back against the Vice President’s remarks.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro questioned whether Duterte wanted Marcos to step down because, under the Constitution, the vice president would succeed the president in the event of a vacancy.

“She wants the President to step down? Why? Is the Vice President rushing to take over?” Castro said.

The Palace also urged Duterte to address the cases against her through the legal process, maintaining that the proceedings are subject to due process.

Arraignment deferred

Duterte made the remarks after appearing at the Quezon City Hall of Justice for her scheduled arraignment on three counts of grave threats.

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court deferred the arraignment after her lawyers filed a motion challenging the proceedings. The court directed prosecutors to respond before it decides on the defense motion.

The charges stem from Duterte’s November 2024 online press conference in which she said she had instructed someone to kill Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she herself were killed.

Quezon City RTC Branch 98 earlier found probable cause to put Duterte on trial and issued a warrant for her arrest. Bail was set at ₱120,000 for each count. Duterte posted bail on Sept. 5.

Her camp continues to question the court’s jurisdiction and has also asked the Supreme Court to stop the proceedings.

Duterte said she would continue responding to the complaints and cases filed against her while maintaining that she has been subjected to political harassment.

The Palace, meanwhile, has rejected allegations that Marcos is orchestrating the cases against the Vice President, saying legal proceedings should be resolved through the courts and other proper institutions.

The latest exchange marks another escalation in the political rift between Marcos and Duterte, whose alliance helped them win the presidency and vice presidency in 2022 but has since broken down amid investigations, impeachment proceedings and increasingly public accusations from both camps.