On Sara Duterte’s conceit and deceit in her presidential bid announcement
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS STATEMENT
February 18, 2026
Reference: Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general, 09173162831
KARAPATAN Public Information Desk, 09189790580
On Sara Duterte’s conceit and deceit in her presidential bid announcement
A conceited and deceitful Sara Duterte recently announced her bid for the presidency, even as she faced a new round of impeachment complaints.
Riding on a thick messianic complex, she promised to rid the country of crime, illegal drugs and terrorism—the same promises offered by her father Rodrigo Duterte.
With her father leaving a lethal legacy of tens of thousands of extrajudicial killings and a history of gargantuan corruption scandals like Pharmally, Sara Duterte has more of the same rot, blood and gore in store for the country once she gets her hands on the reins of power.
Even as vice president and former education secretary, she is already embroiled in the anomalous use of up to ₱650 million in Confidential and Intelligence Funds in 2023. She is also being held to account for P8 billion worth of overpriced laptops procured under the Department of Education Computerization Program, ₱12.3 billion of disallowances and ₱7 billion in unliquidated cash advances during her stint as secretary of education. As former Davao City mayor, she is likewise being cited for the questionable use of over ₱2.735 billion in confidential funds from 2010 to 2022.
She tries to deceitfully distance herself from Ferdinand Marcos Jr., but in the same breath, imagines herself as someone destined for great leadership, sounding just as Imeldific and Marcosian as her avowed political rival.
Sara Duterte should squarely face the serious accusations against her in the impeachment proceedings. With the ever growing clamor for justice and accountability, the very idea of her becoming president is abhorrent to the people.
Sara Duterte belongs in jail, with Marcos Jr. and all the other corrupt and fascist entities of this country.
PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK
publi...@karapatan.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------
#1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., Central District
KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign. It was established in 1995.
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS STATEMENT
February 19, 2026