VP Sara Duterte Clarifies “Bloodbath” Statement

VICE President Sara Duterte clarified that her “bloodbath” statement in relation to her impeachment trial refers to her own blood.



“And if it’s a persecution, it’s some sort of crucifixion against me. And so when there’s a crucifixion, there’s blood. So it’s a bloodbath. My bloodbath. So, I’m just sad that many people refuse to understand the context wherein I give statements,” she said in a media interview on May 31, 2025, at Laan van Reagan en Gorbatjov Park in The Hague. 



Duterte explained that many people misunderstood her use of the word “bloodbath.” 

She said that many did not want to understand her statement and insisted that the impeachment is a political persecution. According to her, it is the administration’s way of going after her for resigning from the Cabinet.



To recall, Sara first made the statement about being ready for a “bloodbath” on May 17, after a Thanksgiving Mass at the Carmelite Church in Davao City.

The Vice President said that the public can expect her defense team to do their best in protecting her rights as the accused in the impeachment trial. She added that they will respond thoroughly to all allegations and accusations, and that they have been preparing for the trial since 2023.



On a personal note, Duterte said she doesn’t feel strongly about the impeachment itself, as she had already learned about it as early as November 2023. She shared that she has been physically preparing by ensuring she gets eight hours of sleep and taking vitamins recommended by her doctors.

She added that she does not expect to receive a fair trial, claiming that there had been an attempt to fish for evidence during the budget hearing. 

When no evidence was found, she said, the administration proceeded with an investigation in aid of legislation on confidential funds, emphasizing that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) was the only office invited to speak about the matter.

She described what happened to the OVP staff as harassment, saying that they were threatened during the investigation. When that, too, yielded no solid evidence, she said that three articles of impeachment were filed without proper procedure.



She also questioned the verification of the 300 signatures reportedly gathered from members of the House of Representatives within just a few hours, “wherein we question of the— if the members of the House of Representatives who signed, read the articles of impeachment.” 

Earlier, former senator Leila de Lima said that if the impeachment trial against Duterte does not push through because the odds are stacked against the prosecution it would be a betrayal of the justice system.

In response, Duterte said she doesn’t know whether the impeachment will proceed. However, she has instructed her defense team to be prepared for any outcome and will leave it to the Senate to decide on the articles of impeachment. She said that while the outcome remains uncertain, what matters most is that her legal defense team is ready.



To recall, Duterte’s impeachment was approved in the Congress after 215 representatives filed and verified the fourth complaint, which centered on the alleged misuse of confidential funds and threats made against high-ranking officials. RGP