30-1-2024 (MANILA) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated that he maintains an amicable relationship with Vice President Sara Duterte despite the recent verbal attacks from her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
During an interview with reporters in Vietnam on Tuesday, January 30, President Marcos emphasized that their relationship remains unchanged.
“It’s exactly the same,” Marcos remarked, affirming his decision to retain Vice President Duterte, who also heads the Department of Education, in the Cabinet.
The President and his predecessor have been embroiled in a heated verbal exchange in the past week, trading allegations of drug use or involvement.
The feud began when the former president accused Marcos of being on the government’s watch list during a speech in Davao City.
In response, Marcos implied that Duterte’s use of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, might have triggered his outburst.
The strained relations between the two families have become more evident in recent months, particularly amidst political developments perceived as unfavourable to the Duterte family.
These developments include Congress rejecting Vice President Sara’s request for P650 million in confidential funds and Marcos’ announcement that the government is considering joining the International Criminal Court, which is investigating Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
Marcos and Sara formed an alliance known as “Uniteam” during the 2022 elections, resulting in a landslide victory.
President Marcos affirmed that the “Uniteam” alliance with the Vice President remains vibrant and operational.
“It is still working, and we will continue,” he stated in a press release from the Presidential Communications Office.
