Marilyn Cahatol

Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Office of The Vice President in Mandaluyong City on December 11, 2024, after skipping on the same day a National Bureau of Investigation probe on her remarks of having  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assassinated should she be killed. Duterte stood firm that she would not present herself before the NBI saying that its inquiry was “unfair.” Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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Vice president-Sara Duterte-Presscon

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176407065769620241211-vpsd-presscon-MT-19.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Office of The Vice President in Mandaluyong City on December 11, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Office of The Vice President in Mandaluyong City on December 11, 2024. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (UPDATED) — Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday said she is prepared to assume the presidency if President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. steps down from his post amid issues on government corruption. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/19/explainer-who-takes-over-if-the-president-or-vp-resigns-0901">Explainer: Who takes over if the President or VP resigns?</a> </div><p>Asked by reporters in Davao City how prepared she was about the possibility, Duterte said, “There is no question about my readiness. I presented myself to you when I was a candidate for vice president with the understanding that I am the first in line in succession.”</p><p>“Pinresenta ko sa inyo, tumakbo ako bilang vice president. Alam ko na first in line ako sa succession. Wala nang tanong dun kung ano ang gagawin ko. Yun ang mandate sa akin ng Constitution, at alam ko yun noong ako ay tumakbo at binoto niyo ako as Vice President knowing that I am the first in line,” she added.</p><p>In recent days, progressive groups called calling for the resignation of both Marcos, Jr. and Duterte. </p><p>She also reacted to the rumored political reset, a transition council, and suggestions of a “caretaker&quot; government.</p><p>Duterte said she took an oath as Vice President and she must defend and preserve this at all costs.</p><p>“I said in my oath to preserve and defend the Constitution so yan ang trabaho ko. Any extra constitutional movements or actions is beyond my sphere. So kung gusto nila na gumalaw sila na labas sa constitution, nasa kanila yun,” she said.</p><p>“I took an oath and I said [I am] to preserve and defend the Constitution. So hanggang diyan lang ako sa kung saan ang meron sa Constitution natin. Labas diyan ang — sa kanila na yun. Hindi na ako kasama diyan. </p><p>Malacañang last week said that resignation from the presidency is <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/18/malacanang-says-resignation-not-an-option-for-marcos-after-sister-imee-s-allegations-1515">not an option</a> for Marcos, after his sister Sen. Imee Marcos accused him of drug use and urged the President to “come home.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/24/marcos-says-family-worried-about-imee-the-lady-you-see-talking-on-tv-is-not-my-sister-1536">Marcos says family &#x27;worried&#x27; about Imee: &#x27;The lady you see talking on TV is not my sister&#x27;</a></div><p>Palace Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said, meanwhile, that only supporters of Vice President Duterte were calling for the President’s resignation so that she could ascend to the Philippines’ top post.</p><div><strong>‘Sasamahan ko siya&#x27;</strong></div><p>Duterte meanwhile urged Marcos, Jr. to undergo a drug test, saying this would be for the benefit of the Filipino public demanding answers.</p><p>Duterte said the President should heed the call since public officers dedicate themselves to Filipinos when they took their oath of office.</p><p>“Hindi ka puwedeng humindi. As president, as vice-president, hindi ka puwede humindi. That is a question on your competency,” Duterte said.</p><p>“This is a drug test na invested ang public,” she added.</p><p>She also noted this also sought to “erase all doubts” on Marcos Jr’s “competency and decision-making skills.”</p><p>The Vice President even said she would accompany him should he undertake the drug test.</p><p>“Huwag siya mag-alala, huwag siya matakot. Sasamahan ko siya, sasamahan siya – I’m sure sasamahan siya ni Senator Imee. Magpapa-drug test din yun. Ako kahit kaunti na lang ang naiwan sa buhok ko, makakapag-drug test din ako,” she said. “Huwag siyang matakot kasi para sa bayan naman yun eh. Hindi naman yun para sa sarili lang.” </p><p>Malacañang last week said it would not heed the call of some &quot;destabilizers&quot; for him to undergo a hair follicle test, after Sen. Imee Marcos accused her brother of being a long-time user of illegal drugs.</p><p>In 2021, Marcos Jr. presented a negative drug test from the St. Luke&#x27;s Medical Center after presidential candidates were challenged to prove that they were not users of illegal drugs.</p><div> </div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ddqKRT56l3o?si=JzCH0kEile3Z8p_3" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday said she is prepared to assume the presidency should President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. step down from his post, as resignation calls continue to grow amid issues on government corruption.</p>

Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday said she is prepared to assume the presidency should President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. step down from his post, as resignation calls continue to grow amid issues on government corruption.

Sara Duterte says ‘ready’ to be President if Marcos Jr. resigns

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Sara Duterte says ‘ready’ to be President if Marcos Jr. resigns

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 25, 2025 07:43 PM PHT

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Updated Nov 26, 2025 08:01 AM PHT

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