VP: Impeach trial 'bloodbath' refers to my crucifixion

Vice President Sara Duterte said that her remark about a "bloodbath" in her forthcoming impeachment trial was in reference to her own tribulations.

- — Evelyn Macairan

Duterte made the clarification at a press conference on Saturday at The Hague, adding that she viewed the impeachment as political persecution against her, thus her crucifixion.

During a meeting with reporters after a thanksgiving mass in Davao City on May 17, Duterte said "I told them (her legal team) that I truly want a trial because I want a bloodbath," which prompted Palace press officer Claire Castro to comment this was "somewhat violent."

However, Castro hoped the Vice President was only using a figure of speech and for the statement not to be taken literally.

Duterte believed there were people who misunderstood her use of the word "bloodbath" or that there were people who chose not to understand.

She said, "We have always said that the impeachment is a political persecution. It is the administration going after me after I resigned from the Cabinet."