19-9-2024 (MANILA) Vice President Sara Duterte has emphatically declared she will “never again” align with the Marcos family, marking a decisive end to their once-powerful political alliance.
Speaking to reporters in an impromptu interview at the House of Representatives, Duterte’s unequivocal statement has laid bare the depth of the rift between two of the country’s most influential political dynasties.
When pressed on the possibility of future collaboration with the Marcoses in upcoming elections, the Vice President’s response was terse and unambiguous: “Never again.” Her refusal to elaborate, merely suggesting a sit-down interview with a laugh, has only fuelled speculation about the nature and extent of their falling out.
Duterte went further, dismissing any notion of reconciliation with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In a candid admission, she stated, “We were never friends to begin with. We only became acquainted because we were running mates.” This revelation sheds new light on the fragility of their political partnership from its inception.
The Vice President did, however, emphasise her longstanding friendship with Senator Imee Marcos, noting their relationship dates back to 2012. This distinction between her personal connections with different members of the Marcos family adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding political drama.
The rupture in the Duterte-Marcos alliance became public in June when Sara Duterte left the Marcos Cabinet amidst mounting political tensions. Since then, she has accused Marcos’s allies in the House of orchestrating a “political attack” aimed at derailing her potential 2028 presidential bid.
Against this backdrop of political turmoil, the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability has launched an inquiry into Duterte’s use of public funds, including her office’s P125 million confidential expenses in 2022. This move has been met with fierce resistance from the Vice President, who views it as a “well-funded and coordinated political attack” rather than a legitimate legislative inquiry.
Duterte’s refusal to be placed under oath during the committee hearing has drawn criticism from some lawmakers. Rep. Jefferson Khonghun expressed disappointment, stating, “If there is nothing to conceal, why not take the oath? It is the basic act of accountability that all public officials must be willing to undertake.”
The Vice President, for her part, maintains there has been no misuse of funds and sees the proceedings as an attempt to build a case for impeachment. “We have not done anything wrong,” she asserted, challenging her critics to present any audit findings or legitimate cases before the appropriate authorities.
