A political fault line has abruptly opened at the highest levels of the Philippine government, exposing a brutal campaign to politically dismantle Vice President Sara Duterte. In a stunning series of public statements and actions, the Vice President has been drawn into the center of a raging controversy concerning a multi-billion peso financial irregularity scandal within the infrastructure sector. However, the narrative is not focused on her guilt; rather, it’s about the alleged obsessive efforts by her political rivals to forcibly—and illogically—link her to the long-standing infrastructure problems, a move widely interpreted by observers as a calculated, preemptive strike intended to eliminate a formidable political threat ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.

The crux of the matter, as discussed by commentators, is the massive financial irregularity scandal plaguing the nation’s infrastructure projects. Despite the public outcry and the clear focus on certain legislative officials and engineers who traditionally oversee these projects, political adversaries are relentless in their attempts to drag VP Duterte’s name into the mess. Analysts noted the desperate, far-fetched nature of the attack, arguing that linking the Vice President to local-level infrastructure issues stretches credibility beyond the breaking point. This forced connection is described as a panicked move by the current political majority, which views the highly popular Vice President as an almost insurmountable rival for the 2028 top seat, prompting them to “gouge her name” and exhaust every means to ruin her reputation.

The effectiveness of this alleged smear campaign has been sharply undercut by a highly visible series of events involving the global business community. In a monumental blow to the current administration’s image, local and international investors seeking to engage in the Philippines recently snubbed the sitting President. Instead of inviting the head of state to address their major economic summit, these investors chose to invite Vice President Sara Duterte as the keynote speaker for their event. This decision has been widely described as a massive “slap in the face” to the current administration, signaling a profound lack of confidence in its handling of the economy and, crucially, its perceived unwillingness or inability to meaningfully address rampant financial irregularities. For the investment community, who prioritize stability and integrity, choosing the Vice President over the President is seen as a clear vote of trust in her leadership and a long-term wager on her political future.

Commentators on the controversy suggest that this public snub reflects a broader dissatisfaction with the current administration’s performance on accountability. While the President has previously used high-profile addresses to promise action against financial misconduct, critics argue that these promises have led to zero tangible results, with no high-profile figures held accountable despite numerous protests and public calls for investigation. This inaction, they argue, has rendered the President’s promises “useless” in the eyes of the public and investors alike. This lack of resolve is being contrasted with the Vice President’s own consistent public demands for genuine solutions and her more understated, yet highly effective, approach to leadership.

The Vice President herself has directly addressed the controversy, stating she is not surprised by the attempts to link her to the financial misconduct, nor by the attempts to connect her to the controversies surrounding former President Duterte and Senator Bong Go. She asserted that the political opposition’s primary strategy is simple: an “obsession with power” that leads them to attempt to politically eliminate any genuine rival. This is why, according to observers, they are attempting to tie the entire Duterte political circle to the scandal. However, many political analysts argue that this aggressive political maneuver is destined to fail. They evoke historical precedent, noting that true political destiny—as seen in past elections—cannot be swayed by calculated smear campaigns, suggesting that public opinion has already made its decision regarding the future leadership.

Ultimately, this ongoing public and political struggle reveals a nation sharply divided and a political majority increasingly perceived as resorting to desperate measures. The fight is framed as a struggle between raw political power and public integrity, with the stakes being the 2028 presidential race. By rejecting the current administration and publicly backing the Vice President, the crucial investment sector has cast its lot, betting that Vice President Duterte’s perceived political resilience and integrity offer a more trustworthy path forward. The scandal, therefore, is no longer just about financial irregularities; it has become the pivotal battleground defining the political landscape for the next half-decade.