VP Sara Duterte Addresses Personal Tensions, Affirms Commitment to Government Duties

janimonow

April 22

Vice President Sara Duterte has publicly addressed the personal resentments expressed by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, emphasizing that these sentiments do not impact her responsibilities as the Vice President of the Philippines. This statement comes after the First Lady shared her displeasure with VP Duterte following comments made by the Vice President's father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, regarding President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

In a video message, VP Duterte acknowledged the First Lady's right to her feelings but clarified that these are separate from her duties as a government official. "As a human being, First Lady Liza Marcos has a right to feel resentment and anger. But her personal feelings have nothing to do with my mandate as a government official," she stated.

The Vice President also announced her plans to discuss the matter privately with President Marcos to resolve any issues and move forward. This private conversation aims to address the fallout from the controversial remarks made by her father, which included derogatory comments about President Marcos at a public rally.

The backdrop to this controversy includes the First Lady's reaction to VP Duterte's response at a rally where the former president criticized the constitutional amendment efforts and made unfounded allegations against President Marcos. The First Lady expressed that she felt betrayed, especially considering the political alliance during the elections, where Sara Duterte was President Marcos' running mate under the slogan "Together, we will rise again."

Despite these personal grievances aired by the First Lady, both President Marcos and Vice President Duterte have maintained a professional facade in public events. They were recently seen displaying cordial interactions at a Philippine National Police Academy graduation ceremony.

VP Duterte has reiterated the importance of focusing on more pressing national issues such as economic challenges, public safety, and the ongoing battle against illegal drugs and insurgency, highlighting her commitment to her governmental role over personal disputes.

This development underscores the complexities of political relationships and the need for top officials to navigate personal feelings and professional responsibilities amidst public scrutiny and political alliances.