VP Sara: No talks about politics with dad, national issues with Marcos

Vice President Sara Duterte said she has not discussed her stance on national issues with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. nor has she talked recently about politics with her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a video message on Tuesday, the vice president said that both Marcos and her father “are blessed with the heart to respect the will of a woman.” 

“Both leaders are also gifted with the wisdom to know that I am not a problem and I do not need to be solved, rather, this is the time to focus on the work that needs to be done for the country,” Sara said. 

She also revealed that Marcos and her father, on separate occasions, similarly expressed concerns about her well-being.

“I assured them that I would take care of myself as I carry out my duties and responsibilities as Vice President and the Secretary of the Department of Education,” she added. 

Former President Duterte and Marcos had heated exchanges in the past few months over various issues such as alleged drug use, Charter change initiatives, and just recently, Marcos’ foreign trips.

Vice President Duterte last week attended a rally for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in Manila where her father expressed concerns over moves for Charter change. 

VP Sara, however, did not take the stage during the rally. 

The younger Duterte, meanwhile, said that it is time to turn attention instead to addressing the quality of education, the constant increase of commodity prices, and the issue of terrorism, criminality, and uncertainty of the country’s peace and security.

“Lumaban tayo kontra terorismo. Suportahan natin ang edukasyon ng kabataan. Suportahan natin ang ating kasundaluhan sa pamamagitan ng pagbigay impormasyon tungkol sa kalaban. I-akyat natin sa mga lokal na pamahalaan ang pagbigay prayoridad sa seguridad natin bilang mamamayan,” she said. 

(Let’s fight against terrorism. Let’s support the youth’s education. Let’s support our forces by providing them information about the enemy. Let’s ask the local governments to give priority to our security as citizens.) —Giselle Ombay/ VAL, GMA Integrated News