When I was a child, my father gave me sound advice — never listen to attacks hurled against our family. And I took it to heart during my VP campaign. I never shared my spotlight with Walden Bello despite the offensives he launched against me. I was focused on drilling my education platform in all the rallies that I could muster. In fact, I have never filed a libel case in my life. Criticisms do not deserve even a backward glance because the accomplishments of Davao City under my leadership are already set in stone.

Instead of deflecting blame, playing the victim of an imaginary case of political persecution, and dragging me into his legal woes, I suggest that Mr. Bello be reminded of the fact that a civilized and democratic society does not respect hubris. The right to freedom of speech and expression does not protect anyone from defiling the name and reputation of others.

I expected him to know that Filipinos have a distaste for those who commit crimes and commit crimes with impunity.

That he calls the charge against him “silly” speaks volumes of Mr. Bello’s character — it was clearly derision of and an insult to the Prosecutors and the time and effort they put in to uphold the rule of law.

Mr. Bello — supposedly a respected international educator and a human rights activist — took it so low and displayed a disgraceful version of himself, making him the perfect poster boy of someone we hope our children will not become when they grow up.

Mr. Bello should focus on salvaging what remains of his dignity and self-respect, I am asking him to stop obsessing over me — and stop blaming me for his fall from grace.

Thank you.

Sara Z. Duterte
Vice President of the Philippines
Secretary of the Department of Education
August 9, 2022