Former Sen. De Lima has advice to VP Sara

Former Senator Leila de Lima INQUIRER PHOTO/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte should reflect on how she ended up on the “bad side” of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos amid the criticisms her family threw against the current chief executive, according to former Senator Leila de Lima.

De Lima’s advice came after the first lady admitted to snubbing the vice president following her attendance at the controversial prayer rally where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was called “bangag” or a drug addict.

READ: Liza Marcos admits snubbing Sara Duterte: ‘Bad shot na ’yan sa akin’

In an interview streamed on Politiko’s YouTube page last April 19, de Lima said the “cracks” between the Duterte and Marcos respective sides “are getting clearer,” as she advised the Vice President to examine herself and carefully think about what to respond to Araneta-Marcos’ remarks.

Right to air sentiments

“I think the first lady has the right to air her sentiments about the VP. It’s up to the VP if she will answer that or not. She must examine why she ended up on the first lady’s wrong side: What did I do? I should change that,” the former senator said.

“It’s up to VP Sara if she will aggravate the situation; would she still make some moves? Would she still utter certain statements or remarks that further widen the gap between them? The cracks are getting clearer,” she added.

De Lima likewise reminded Duterte that she is part of the Marcos cabinet and should be conscious and supportive of the policies pushed by the current administration.

Prior to the first lady’s comment, the chief executive said on April 15 that his relationship with the education secretary “remains the same” but admitted that his connection with her clan is “complicated.”

“I have the most contact with Inday Sara, and how we were with each other during the campaign; after the election, it hasn’t really changed,” he said.

In November 2023, Duterte said the relationship with the president was “okay,” while Marcos described his connection with the former as “excellent.”