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VP Sara Duterte Fires Back At 'Mini-Trial' Claims
Photo credit: Inday Sara Duterte's FB
Vice President Sara Duterte strongly pushed back against allegations raised during the House Committee on Justice “mini trial” on April 14, calling out what she described as false and damaging claims about her academic background.
In a statement released April 15, Duterte took particular issue with accusations that she needed assistance to complete law school, saying the claim came from a bar flunker and kidnapping suspect.
“I completed my studies on my own terms. I placed a higher premium on living a well-rounded life rather than pursuing academic excellence. I never asked any professor for special accommodation for my grades because the bare minimum was easy enough to meet,” she said.
Duterte also defended her record as a law student at San Sebastian College-Recoletos, stressing that she was never involved in any misconduct and finished her degree without issue.
“I was never the subject of any complaint for rudeness or violence against other students at SSC-R College of Law,” she added.
The Vice President noted that she graduated in May 2005 and took the Bar exams later that year, highlighting that she passed on her first attempt with a general weighted average above the required mark.
Beyond addressing the academic issue, Duterte also took aim at her critics in Congress, particularly those involved in the ongoing proceedings.
“Madriaga and his cohorts in the House of Representatives do not come close to my capacity to achieve results with very little effort because they cannot even weave a believable lie, much less follow the rule of law,” she said.
She went further, criticizing the conduct of the committee and linking the proceedings to broader allegations of corruption.
“Mga kababayan, this mini-trial in the Committee on Justice is true to form for some of its members: abuse and corruption appear to be the only things they are capable of,” Duterte said.
The Vice President also raised concerns over government spending, alleging that public funds are being diverted for political maneuvering instead of addressing the ongoing price crisis.
“The failure of the administration to provide relief in this price crisis is not due to a lack of resources, but because public funds are being used for political maneuvering to avoid accountability for the most corrupt budget in our country’s history,” she said.
The statement comes amid continuing tensions surrounding the impeachment proceedings, with both sides trading accusations as the inquiry progresses.
In a statement released April 15, Duterte took particular issue with accusations that she needed assistance to complete law school, saying the claim came from a bar flunker and kidnapping suspect.
“I completed my studies on my own terms. I placed a higher premium on living a well-rounded life rather than pursuing academic excellence. I never asked any professor for special accommodation for my grades because the bare minimum was easy enough to meet,” she said.
Duterte also defended her record as a law student at San Sebastian College-Recoletos, stressing that she was never involved in any misconduct and finished her degree without issue.
“I was never the subject of any complaint for rudeness or violence against other students at SSC-R College of Law,” she added.
The Vice President noted that she graduated in May 2005 and took the Bar exams later that year, highlighting that she passed on her first attempt with a general weighted average above the required mark.
Beyond addressing the academic issue, Duterte also took aim at her critics in Congress, particularly those involved in the ongoing proceedings.
“Madriaga and his cohorts in the House of Representatives do not come close to my capacity to achieve results with very little effort because they cannot even weave a believable lie, much less follow the rule of law,” she said.
She went further, criticizing the conduct of the committee and linking the proceedings to broader allegations of corruption.
“Mga kababayan, this mini-trial in the Committee on Justice is true to form for some of its members: abuse and corruption appear to be the only things they are capable of,” Duterte said.
The Vice President also raised concerns over government spending, alleging that public funds are being diverted for political maneuvering instead of addressing the ongoing price crisis.
“The failure of the administration to provide relief in this price crisis is not due to a lack of resources, but because public funds are being used for political maneuvering to avoid accountability for the most corrupt budget in our country’s history,” she said.
The statement comes amid continuing tensions surrounding the impeachment proceedings, with both sides trading accusations as the inquiry progresses.
Apr 15, 2026
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