First Lady Liza Marcos Asserts Her Stand Amid Political Tensions with Vice President Sara Duterte

janimonow

April 19

First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos expressed her ongoing displeasure with Vice President Sara Duterte following remarks made by Duterte's father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, about President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. The comment, referring to the President as "bangag" or high on drugs, and Sara Duterte's reaction at a public event have led to a strained relationship between the two prominent political figures.

In a recent interview on the "Tune in kay Tunying" online program, the First Lady detailed instances of her deliberate avoidance of Vice President Duterte, citing a specific encounter where she used the term "bangag" in response to a compliment, signaling her resentment. This approach underscores her statement, "I'm many things but I am not a hypocrite," highlighting her refusal to pretend amicability without a genuine apology from the Vice President.

The tension has not only been limited to verbal exchanges but also influenced their interactions during official duties, including during international visits such as the state visit to Prague, where the President advised the First Lady to "behave," to which she responded, "wrong person, honey."

Additionally, the First Lady discussed other personal matters, including defending her brother against accusations of onion smuggling and reflecting on the challenges and criticisms faced by her family. She emphasized her role in ensuring that her husband is surrounded by trustworthy individuals and dismissed any notions of domestic strife within their marriage.

In the face of ongoing public scrutiny and political challenges, First Lady Marcos remains firm in her positions, inviting critics to "bring it on" and underscoring her belief in karma as a guiding principle.