A “deafening silence” from Vice President Sara Z. Duterte has moved to the center of a widening political storm, with Deputy Speaker David “Jayjay” Suarez warning on Wednesday that her refusal to address serious allegations is deepening public doubt and eroding trust in leadership.
In a sharply worded statement, Suarez said the Vice President’s continued silence—despite being given the opportunity to respond—raises more questions than it answers at a time when accountability is expected.
“Nakabibinging katahimikan—’yan ang nakukuha ng taumbayan sa gitna ng seryosong mga tanong,” Suarez said.
He pointed to what he described as a stark contradiction: the Vice President had earlier criticized Congress for supposedly denying her a platform to respond, yet now that proceedings are underway and avenues for explanation are available, she has chosen not to speak.
“Humingi siya ng pagkakataon magsalita—ngayon na meron na, bakit piniling manahimik?” Suarez asked.
For Suarez, the silence is not merely an absence of words but a deliberate choice—one that inevitably shapes public perception.
“Silence is a choice—and that choice has consequences sa tiwala ng publiko.”
Framing the issue beyond partisan lines, Suarez emphasized that due process has been observed and that the Vice President has been afforded the opportunity to answer the issues raised against her—making her silence all the more conspicuous.
“Sa due process, may pagkakataon sumagot. Kapag piniling manahimik, natural lang na magtanong ang publiko,” Suarez explained.
He stressed that the matter ultimately goes to the heart of public accountability, especially when questions involve the use of government resources and the public trust.
“Hindi ito usapin ng pulitika—usapin ito ng pananagutan sa taumbayan,” he said.
Yet for Suarez, silence does not end scrutiny—it sharpens it. In the absence of answers, he said, the questions only grow louder.
“Kung may sagot, bakit walang paliwanag?” Suarez asked.
He warned that continued refusal to respond risks being seen not as restraint, but as evasion—fueling further doubt among the public.
“Ang inosente, handang magpaliwanag. Ang pag-iwas magsalita, lalo lang nagpapalakas ng duda.”
As the controversy intensifies, Suarez framed the moment as a defining test of leadership—one that demands not quiet, but clarity.
“Ang tunay na lider, hindi tumatahimik sa gitna ng krisis—humaharap at nagpapaliwanag,” he said.
He added that public office carries with it a duty to confront issues head-on, not retreat from them.
“Hindi puwedeng maging manhid sa katotohanan ang isang opisyal ng gobyerno. May pananagutan siya sa bawat Pilipino,” Suarez said.
With questions mounting and no direct answers forthcoming, Suarez said the burden now rests squarely on the Vice President to break her silence.
“Ang tanong ng bayan simple lang: kung may sagot, bakit walang marinig?” Suarez asked.
