VP Duterte on relationship with Romualdez: Why attack admin allies?

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday addressed the alleged rift between her and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, stating that she also wonders why she is being “attacked” despite being the current administration’s ally.

“Kumusta kaya relasyon naming dalawa?” Duterte responded coyly when asked by reporters about the state of her relationship with Romualdez.

(How is our relationship, I wonder?)

READ: Imee reveals Speaker upset at her for supporting, siding with Dutertes

Duterte then explained that she would simply quote Senator Imee Marcos in describing their relationship.

“The very best description and comment kung ano ang relasyon namin ni Speaker Martin Romualdez ay galing kay Senator Imee Marcos — marami ang hindi nakakaintindi bakit inaatake mo ang kaalyado ng administrasyon,” said Duterte.

(The most accurate description and comment on my relationship with Speaker Romualdez comes from Senator Marcos. Many do not understand why you are attacking an ally of the administration.)

The vice president was referring to Marcos’ recent statement where she revealed that Romualdez has been quite upset at the senator since October last year after she openly expressed her support for the Dutertes.

“Si Speaker alam ko may tampo sa akin mula pa October. Bakit ako kumakampi sa mga Duterte? Sabi ko ‘di ako kumakampi, sa akin lang kasamahan natin ‘yan, kaalyado natin ‘yan; higit sa lahat, kaibigan na wala namang ginagawang masama. Bakit natin aawayin?” Marcos said.

(From what I know, Speaker Romualdez has been upset with me since October for siding with the Dutertes. I told him I’m not siding with them, but we should not incite conflict against them since they are our allies and friends.)

The issue stemmed from a rumored rift between Duterte and Romualdez since early 2023, but it was not clear where such information started.

The rift escalated when the House of Representatives blocked the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education’s confidential funds in the 2024 budget.

Impeachment rumors against Duterte also circulated within the House of Representatives around November 2023, according to ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, but Romualdez and other leaders in the lower chamber immediately denied such rumors.

READ: I don’t want Vice President Duterte impeached – Marcos

The Speaker even declared his respect and support for everyone in the government, including Duterte, in December 2023 after an encounter in Japan, where he was greeted by a Filipino worker carrying a placard that said, “Please support VP Inday Sara Duterte.”