Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday cast doubt on the recent leadership change in the House of Representatives, saying it was planned to appease public anger over corruption allegations.

Duterte made the remark following the resignation of Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez as House Speaker, who was replaced by Isabela 6th District Representative Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Wednesday, September 17.

According to the Vice President, the switch in leadership was orchestrated by the same circle and political bloc led by Romualdez, presidential son, House Majority Leader, and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos, and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“Yung pagpapalit nila ng speaker dyan ay para lang 'yan masabi ng mga tao na meron silang ginawa sa House of Representatives sa reklamo at sa galit ng mga tao. Pero ang totoo niyan ay sila lang din yan,” Duterte said.

"Grupo lang din yan ni Martin Romualdez, ni Sandro Marcos, and of course, siyempre, papunta na rin yan kay BBM," she added.

VP: Dy is a good person, but part of Romualdez's circle

While Duterte clarified she has “no message” for Speaker Dy, she pointed out his close ties to Romualdez’s allies, including Isabela Governor Rodito Albano and former lawmaker Tonypet Albano.

“Wala akong mensahe kay Congressman Dy Meron lang akong i-share, gusto na ibahagi sa mga kababayan natin. I'm sure he is a good person. I've met him several times sa aking mga events at sa aking trabaho si Congressman Dy. Si Congressman Dy ay Congressman ng Isabela province. Ang may hawak ng province of Isabela is si Governor Rodito Albano. Si Rodito at si Tonypet Albano, yung Congressman ng Isabela dati, hindi ko alam kung hanggang ngayon, nasa circle yan ni Speaker Martin Romualdez," she said.

“Isang grupo yan sila. Paano ko nasabi? Dahil alam ko na matalik na magkaibigan si Tonypet Albano at si Martin Romualdez. Nakasama ko sila noong, hindi ko na rin maalala kung anong taon yun, pero sa kasal ng anak ng isang senator, nakasama ko sila. Doon ko nalaman na matalik sila ng magkaibigan.”

She added that the move was less about governance and more about political maneuvering for future elections and control over the national budget.

"So sila lang din yun, sila-sila lang din 'yan, at sila-sila lang din nag-usap kung ano ang gagawin nila, at sila-sila lang din ang nagplano kung anong gagawin nila sa 2026 budget this is all about the presidential elections of 2028 and the budget of 2026,” she stressed.

Duterte further warned that the leadership shakeup in both the Congress and Senate only highlights the "no stability in government institutions."

“We saw how they abuse the power and the institution for their gains. Hindi lang 'yan siya ngayon, matagal na. Magulo siya kasi unang-una walang vision, walang direction, walang plano. Nakikita mo puro sila pulitika at paninigurado na may pera sa bulsa,” she said.

When asked if any groups were courting her ahead of the next elections, Duterte revealed that PDP–Laban has been actively reaching out to her, inviting her to join their ranks.

However, Duterte said it is better to remain without a political party than to engage in 'pretentious dealings with politicians.'