Questions have surfaced over assertions made by former presidential spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque regarding supposed backchannel efforts between President Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte.
Roque, in a video uploaded to his Facebook page, alleged that President Marcos is attempting to initiate talks with Duterte following her declaration that she intends to run in the 2028 presidential election. He cited information from what he described as a confidential source.
“Ayon sa confidential source namin, gusto makipag-ayos ni Marcos Jr., kay VP Sara.
“Siyempre, kilala ko na ‘yang si VP Sara, tapos na. The train has left. Wala nang balikan ‘yan,” Roque said.
The former Palace official further claimed that the vice president’s current focus is tied to the situation of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who remains detained at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
“Ang gusto ni Inday Sara ngayon, katarungan sa nangyari sa kaniyang ama na hanggang ngayon ay nakakulong sa The Hague,” Roque stated.
“At talaga namang hindi ‘yan magpapatawad,” he added.
Roque also suggested that political opponents are unsettled by Duterte’s decision to pursue the presidency, describing fear among her critics.
“Kaya takot na takot na sila ngayon. Nanginginig na sila. Dahil baka mamaya lahat ng plano nila hindi na umepekto at maging Presidente pa rin si VP Sara, lagot na sila,” he said.
Duterte publicly confirmed her plan to seek the presidency on February 18, formally entering the field for the 2028 national elections.
