Marcos Takes Pride in Reuniting VP Sara & Dad
MARCOS – President Marcos expressed his pride in helping Vice President Sara Duterte mend ties with her father, saying he’s grateful to have played a part in bridging their relationship.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has responded to Vice President Sara Duterte’s expression of gratitude over her mended relationship with her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, saying, “Glad I could help.”
The statement came after Palace Press Officer Claire Castro relayed the Vice President’s appreciation during a press briefing. According to Castro, VP Duterte acknowledged the “irony” of the situation as she thanked Marcos for his role in the reconciliation, noting that there was forgiveness between her and her father for past issues that strained their relationship.
However, Castro clarified that the younger Duterte should primarily thank her father for making the effort to rekindle their bond. “Dahil kung siya man po ay nagkaroon ng pagkakataon at nagkaroon ng oras kasama ang kanyang ama, ay dahil po ito sa kasong [extrajudicial killings],” Castro said during the briefing. She added that if not for the ongoing case concerning extrajudicial killings related to the former president’s controversial war on drugs, there might not have been an opportunity for the two to reconnect.
Rodrigo Duterte is currently under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, facing charges of crimes against humanity for his administration’s bloody anti-drug campaign. The Duterte family has previously accused Marcos and his allies of orchestrating the former president’s transfer to The Hague to eliminate a political rival.
The case against Duterte remains contentious, with both domestic and international human rights organizations closely monitoring developments. Meanwhile, President Marcos has not directly addressed the allegations from the Duterte camp but has maintained that his administration respects the rule of law and due process.
The renewed bond between VP Sara Duterte and her father comes amid ongoing political challenges and scrutiny, but the Vice President has expressed relief over the reconciliation despite the circumstances that brought it about. The situation highlights the complexities of political alliances and family dynamics within the current administration.