MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has opted not to comment on Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s remarks regarding the remains of his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Interviewed by the media recently, the Chief Executive decided not to respond to Duterte-Carpio’s statement that she would exhume the remains of Marcos Sr. at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani if attacks against her will not stop.
“I’d rather not (comment about Duterte-Carpio’s statement),” President Marcos said.
In a press conference last month, Duterte-Carpio shared that she told Senator Imee Marcos, the President’s sister, that she would dig up the body of Marcos Sr. and throw it into the West Philippine Sea (WPS) if attacks against her would not stop.
Duterte-Carpio also said in the said media presser that President Marcos, her runningmate in the 2022 national elections, does not know how to be a president and govern the country.
It was Duterte-Carpio’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte who allowed the burial of Marcos Sr.’s remains at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.
Meanwhile, when asked if his relationship with Duterte-Carpio has already reached a point of no return, the President simply said that, ”Let’s talk about it some other time.”
Cracks in the Marcos and Duterte-Carpio partnership began to show in 2023 when the leadership of the House of Representatives under Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez-Marcos’ cousin removed former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as senior deputy speaker. The Vice President responded by bolting Lakas-CMD, Romualdez’s party.
Duterte-Carpio was then stripped off her confidential funds by the Romualdez-led House under the 2024 national budget.
Earlier this year, former President Duterte accused President Marcos of using illegal drugs in a prayer rally in Davao City. His allegations were denied by the Chief Executive.
First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos then said in an interview that Duterte-Carpio was a “bad shot” to her after she was caught on camera laughing while her father attacked the President in a Davao event last January.
Duterte-Carpio then tendered her resignation from her cabinet posts in Department of Education and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict./PN
