Malacañang on Monday rejected claims by Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte that the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte are part of a three-year plot to derail her 2028 presidential bid. Palace press officer Claire Castro stated there is no evidence to support the existence of such a plan, emphasizing that the focus remains on transparency and accountability regarding the Vice President’s official conduct.
Palace Response to Impeachment Claims
Mayor Duterte has publicly characterized the impeachment efforts as a calculated maneuver to prevent the Vice President from seeking the presidency in 2028. In response, Castro argued that if such a long-term political strategy were actually in play, the Vice President should have exercised stricter oversight of her office’s finances.
The Palace specifically cited findings from the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding “ghost vouchers” and “ghost food packs” associated with the Vice President’s confidential funds. “If they really knew that this had been planned for three years, if what he is saying is true because we have not seen any evidence, then if it is indeed true, the Vice President should have been more careful in using her confidential funds,” Castro said.
Transparency and Official Conduct
Beyond the financial issues, the Palace criticized the Vice President’s travel habits. Castro pointed to the Vice President’s attendance at a Taylor Swift concert in Germany while Typhoon Carina caused widespread impact in the Philippines. According to Castro, the current discourse is centered on administrative accountability rather than political obstructionism.
“If they already knew about this, shouldn’t the Vice President have worked harder instead of constantly traveling abroad?” Castro asked. She added that if the Vice President can provide sufficient evidence to clear her name regarding the allegations, she remains free to pursue a candidacy in the 2028 elections.
The ‘Oplan Romanov’ Allegations
The tension between the Palace and the Duterte camp also centers on the term “Oplan Romanov,” which Mayor Duterte first mentioned during a January 2024 event in Davao. At that time, the mayor warned: “Before you go to bed, think of the Romanovs. Maybe you will reconsider the direction that you are taking.”
Castro characterized this rhetoric as part of a pattern of threats against President Marcos Jr. and his administration, noting that similar statements have been attributed to former President Rodrigo Duterte and the Vice President. While the Duterte camp has cited “Oplan Romanov” as justification for threats directed at the President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez, the Palace maintains that the Duterte camp has yet to produce any evidence confirming the existence of such an operation.
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