VP Sara: Reconciling with Marcos not a priority
Vice President Sara Duterte said she is not prioritizing talks of reconciliation with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying the welfare of the public matters more than "personal issues."
'Unang-una, hindi muna siguro ako magsalita about reconciliation dahil hindi naman mahalaga siguro ang mga personal na problema... Ang mas mahalaga is 'yong taumbayan at iyong bayan natin,' she told reporters during an ambush interview at The Hague.
(First of all, I don't think I should speak about reconciliation for now because personal problems are not important. What's more important is the people and our country.)
VP Sara's comment comes days after Marcos disclosed that he is open to reconciling with the Dutertes.
''Oo, ako, ayoko ng gulo. Gusto ko magkasundo sa lahat ng tao. Mas maganda. Marami na kong kaaway, hindi ko kailangan ng kaaway, kailangan ko kaibigan,'' Marcos said in an interview with broadcaster Anthony Taberna.
(I don't want trouble. I want to get along with everyone. It's better. I already have many enemies, I don't need enemies, I need friends.)
READ: Uniteam no more: Timeline of Marcos-Duterte tandem's woes
Dad wants to take oath
VP Sara was in the Netherlands to visit her father, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who is detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague due to crimes against humanity charges.
She said she was able to see her father for an hour on Friday and that they talked about Eleksyon 2025.
'Na-share ko... na nanalo iyong dalawang PDP Laban na senator candidates, tapos iyong isang guest candidate - si (Rodante) Marcoleta, plus dalawang guest candidates from Alyansa, si Senator Camille Villar at Senator Imee Marcos.'
(I shared that two PDP Laban senator candidates won, along with guest candidate Rodante Marcoleta and two guest candidates from Alyansa – Senators Camille Villar and Imee Marcos.)
She also mentioned that her father wants to take his oath after winning the mayoral race in Davao.
'I want... Set me free and I will take an oath,' Sara said quoting, her father.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier said it will ask the ICC to allow the former President to take oath as Davao City mayor while he is in detention in The Hague.
SWS survey
Duterte also addressed the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey in which 88% of respondents said it was important for her to face the impeachment proceedings and answer the allegations.
'Oh, I totally agree. Kasama ako doon sa 88% na iyan... thankful sa opportunity na malinis iyong pangalan ko at masagot iyong mga akusasyon sa akin,' she said.
(I totally agree. I'm part of that 88%... I'm thankful for the opportunity to clear my name and respond to the accusations against me.)
The Vice President also said that the Senate's decision to move the presentation of the articles of impeachment hearings to June 11 has no effect on her.
'Wala naman siyang epekto sa akin... Iiwan na namin iyan sa mga lawyers namin, sa defense impeachment lawyers,' explained Duterte.
(It has no effect on me... we'll leave that to our lawyers, the defense impeachment lawyers.)
Imee
The Vice President, meanwhile, also mentioned that Senator Imee Marcos, who is also currently at The Hague, was not permitted to visit her father.
'Hindi siya pinayagan ng ICC na makabisita at makausap si dating Pangulong Rodrigoe, she said.
(I mentioned that she was not allowed by the ICC to visit and speak with former President Duterte.)
Sara said her father was hoping to speak with Senator Marcos, but he is hopeful that there will be "another time."
'Unang-una, nagpasalamat siya. At pangalawa, sabi niya gusto nga daw niya sanang makausap si Senator Imee kaso hindi nga daw payagan pero sabi niya, 'There will be another time for that.''
(He was thankful. He wanted to talk to Senator Imee but wasn't allowed. He said, 'There will be another time for that.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News
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