Vice-President Sara Duterte attends the House committee hearing on November 25, 2024, tackling confidential fund expenses of the OVP and the Department of Education during her helm. ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA (UPDATED) - Vice President Sara Duterte has claimed that she was already poised to win the 2022 presidential elections but “gave it away.”

This was in response to House Assistant Majority Leader, Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun’s statement that Duterte’s supposed early presidential ambition caused the ongoing political ruckus.

"Nagsimula lang naman ang kaguluhan na ito noong mangarap ang ating bise presidente na maging presidente nang maaga. Nung mangarap ang former president na paupuin yung kanyang anak na maging presidente kaagad. Dun naman nagsimula ang lahat ng ito,” Khonghun said in a press conference on Thursday.

NBI says ‘no problem’ with rescheduling VP Sara Duterte’s summons

“Kung wala lang sanang maagang nangarap, wala lang sanang maagang nag-ambisyon na maging presidente, tahimik naman ang lahat,” he added.

However, Duterte claimed on Saturday that the 2022 presidency was already hers, alleging that she already had unified support.

“Unang-una, the presidency of 2022 was mine already. Nanalo na ako sa surveys, lahat ng tao solid na, united na for my candidacy pero I gave it away because I felt I had to do some other things other than being president of the Republic of the Philippines,” Duterte said in an ambush interview at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center on November 30.

She earlier said that it was her own decision not to run for president in 2022 as she wanted to continue her term in Davao City at the time.

“Hindi talaga nagsabi si Pres. Duterte na tumakbo ako for president. And even if, nagsabi siya, hindi rin talaga ako tatakbo for president,” Duterte said in a press conference on October 18.

She claimed it was the House lawmakers’ alleged maltreatment that caused the political chaos.

VP Sara Duterte mum on Marcos Jr.'s recent impeachment remarks

“Pangalawa, hindi ako ‘yung nagsabi sa kanila na magbukas sila ng investigation or inquiry in aid of legislation that is more likely political persecution and harassment of OVP personnel,” she said.

“So, ‘wag nila akong i-gaslight into saying na ako ang dahilan ng kaguluhan na ito. Ang kaguluhan na ito ay nagsimula sa terrorism nila, sa harassment nila, sa threats nila sa mga personnel ng Office of the Vice President,” Duterte added.

Duterte also said that she will attend the next House hearing on the alleged fund misuse of her office and the Department of Education to accompany her staff who will serve as resource persons.

“They really feel safer and medyo kumakalma sila kung nandyan ako,” she said.

Sara Duterte to attend next House hearing on alleged illegal fund misuse

Duterte meanwhile thanked her supporters who gathered at the EDSA Shrine.

She also thanked others who have been "vocal" about the issues hounding her office and staff.

“Nagpapasalamat din kami sa mga supporters namin na nasa EDSA Shrine and syempre ‘yung iba pa na kahit hindi namin supporters ay nagpapalabas ng kanilang saloobin sa mga nangyayari ngayon dahil nagbabantay din sila sa mga pasyente natin dito sa Veterans  Hospital,” Duterte said.

She also acknowledged those who assisted the hospitalized OVP officials — chief of staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez and Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta.

“Nagpapasalamat din kami sa mga tao na nasa labas ng Veterans Hospital na nagbantay din sa mga pasyente. Malaking tulong ‘yun sa akin, ‘yung media, ‘yung mga tao na nagbabantay. Si Sen. Bato Dela Rosa na hindi talaga niya iniwan yung mga pasyente,” Duterte said.

“Si Sen. Bong Go na nag-substitute sa akin dito ang laking tulong ninyong lahat sa akin dahil nakakagalaw ako, nagagawa ko pa rin yung mga iba kong kailangang gawin na mga trabaho,” she added.

Both Lopez and Acosta were discharged from the Veterans Memorial Medical Center on Saturday, November 30.