President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed on Tuesday his stance regarding the ongoing rift between Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, stating there’s no need to replace Duterte in his cabinet.
“Why? I don’t see the reason behind that,” Marcos stated during an ambush interview in Occidental Mindoro.
“Any of the Cabinet secretaries will be replaced kapag hindi nila ginagawa ‘yung trabaho nila. All the other things are not part of the discussion,” he added.
“Kapag hindi talaga marunong o corrupt, tatanggalin ka talaga namin. Hindi naman ganoon si Inday,” emphasized the President.
Regarding a potential reconciliation, Marcos remarked, “I don’t think we need to patch anything up. I think she understands, as I said, as a wife herself, she understands the sentiments of the First Lady.”
“Our conversation will be precisely that, kasi you know, I am sure you understand how she feels because she – alam ninyo, ang First Lady hindi sanay sa pulitika ‘yan eh,” he added.
Marcos highlighted that the First Lady is not accustomed to political insults, unlike their family.
“Kami manhid na kami diyan sa mga insulto na kung ano-ano, personal na insulto, policy, lahat manhid. Siya, hindi siya galing sa political family kaya’t siguro si Liza still has to learn na magpalampas ng kaunti sa ibang masasakit at maiinit at maanghang na salita,” he said.
The rift stemmed from former President Rodrigo Duterte’s derogatory remark toward Marcos, where he referred to him as “bangag” or high on drugs. The First Lady admitted harboring ill feelings toward the Vice President after witnessing her reaction to the incident.
On Monday, Vice President Duterte acknowledged the resentment but emphasized that personal feelings should not interfere with her government duties.