FILE PHOTO: First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos (left) and Vice Pres. Sara Duterte (right). INQUIRER FILES/INDAY SARA DUTERTE FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA, Philippines — Two senators have weighed in on the seeming rift between First Lady Liza Araneta- Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Ako, kung ako ang asawa ng Presidente, I will do everything, para maging successful yung aking asawa. Hindi na ako makikipag-away,” Senator Cynthia Villar said in an interview on Wednesday.
(If I were the spouse of the President, I would do everything to ensure the success of my spouse. I wouldn’t engage in any conflicts.)
“Huwag na mag-away. Gumawa na lang ng mga projects na makakatulong sa tao para mahalin ng mga tao lalo yung ating Presidente,” Villar said.
(Let’s not fight. Just work on projects that will help the people love our President more.)
In a rare interview aired last week, the First Lady revealed her sentiments toward the Vice President after the latter’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, called President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “bangag,” a slang term for a drug user.
Araneta-Marcos also admitted snubbing the Vice President during the President’s departure ceremony to Vietnam in January. This incident was caught on video, which circulated on social media.
But for Villar, all these are just part of politics.
The senator also surmised that the former president was only defending his daughter, Sara, from critics.
“Syempre ang tatay, pag binibira yung anak, nagiging defensive di ba? I think it’s a natural reaction ng isang tatay,” she explained.
(Of course, when a father’s child is criticized, he becomes defensive, right? I think it’s a natural reaction of a father.)
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, meanwhile, sympathized with the President’s situation.
“But, as they say, this is part of the ‘burden of leadership’ that he must bear… keeping, of course, the best interest of our country and people always in mind,” he said in a message to reporters.
To the President, Escudero said: “This too shall come to pass and that he shall overcome if he remains steadfast in his principles and beliefs.”
Sara Duterte already responded to the First Lady’s comments against her, but said she would rather have a private conversation with the President.
The President later announced that the Vice President would keep her post as concurrent head of the Department of Education despite calls for her removal.