Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Speaks on Ties w/ Sen. Imee Marcos amid Political Turmoil in PH
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President believes that her friendship with Senator Imee Marcos is “already beyond politics” now.
The arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte has divided the supporters of the Dutertes and Marcoses who previously united under the BBM-Sara tandem during the 2022 Elections. Last March 11, the former President was arrested in Manila reportedly due to the warrant released by the International Criminal Court.
The arrest of Duterte was implemented by the Philippine National Police (PNP). On the same day he was arrested, the former President was flown to The Hague, Netherlands via Dubai for the transfer of his custody to the ICC. The Duterte supporters went out on the streets calling on the government to order the return of the former President.
The President and the government undeniably earned countless criticisms over the arrest of Duterte. According to Pres. Bongbong Marcos, all necessary procedures were followed in Duterte’s arrest. He claimed that the government had to act on its commitment with the Interpol.
The arrest of the former President sparked different reactions not only among the ordinary individuals but as well as politicians. Unexpectedly, presidential sister and Sen. Imee Marcos is one of those who is vocal about being against what happened to the former President.
Countless Filipinos even wondered as Sen. Imee Marcos might be torn between her relationships with her brother, Pres. Bongbong Marcos, and her friend, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. Following the arrest of FPRRD, the Senator left the Alyansa Para Sa Pagbabago which is led by the President.
The Senator also led a Senate committee investigation on the arrest of the former President. However, former presidential legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, challenged Sen. Imee Marcos to file an impeachment case against PBBM.
According to VP Sara, she is sad that Sen. Imee was not mentioned by PBBM at the Cavite grand rally of the Alyansa but on whether the PDP-Laban could adopt the Senator as one of its bets, she stressed that it is not hers but her father’s call. Meanwhile, she is grateful that the case of her father is discussed inside the government due to the Senate committee probe led by Sen. Marcos.
Based on a report on Manila Bulletin, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte believes that she is still friends with Sen. Imee Marcos. According to her, they have no problem and she wants to believe that their friendship is beyond politics now.
“Magkaibigan pa rin kami hanggang ngayon. Wala namang problema doon. I do not know her side, but I would like to believe that the friendship is already beyond politics,” the Vice President said.
Based on the report, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that it is just either of the two (2) things — they are only pretending to be friends or “it’s really beyond friendship” and she wants to believe the latter. They have open lines of communication. Recently, VP Sara has arrived in the Philippines from The Hague, Netherlands.