Sara Duterte Brands Marcos Jr. a ‘Scammer’ Amid Impeachment Tensions

Vice President Sara Duterte did not mince words when she called President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a “scammer” during an interview in Australia on Sunday, June 22. The remark followed Marcos’ denial of involvement in Duterte’s looming impeachment trial.

Speaking to the media, Duterte said she was no longer surprised by the president’s statement, accusing him of inconsistency since the start of his term.

“He gives conflicting statements from day one of his administration,” Duterte said. “In fact, he hasn’t followed through on any of his campaign promises. That’s one example of his conflicting behavior. And, well, ‘budol’ in English is ‘scam.’ We’re not surprised anymore. He has the hallmark of a scammer.”

Duterte’s sharp comments signal a deeper rift between the once-allied top officials, with political observers noting the increasingly public fallout. Marcos and Duterte had previously run under a unity ticket in the 2022 elections but have since grown apart over key issues.

The Vice President is set to face an impeachment trial before the Senate next month. The charges against her include betrayal of public trust, corruption, and issuing grave threats. She has already submitted her official response to the impeachment court’s summons.

The Palace has yet to issue a formal reply to Duterte’s latest statements.

As political tensions escalate, the unfolding drama between the country's two highest officials continues to draw widespread attention—setting the stage for a potentially explosive Senate trial that could reshape the country's political landscape.