Philippine leader suggests he wants to reconcile with Dutertes
The Philippine leader and his vice president have not seen eye to eye recently. But after a turbulent midterm election, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. looks poised to extend an olive branch to Sara Duterte and her powerful family.
Marcos spoke on Monday in an interview aired on YouTube and other digital platforms. The presenter asked if he'd be willing to reconcile.
Marcos said: "I don't want any trouble. I want everyone to get along. That would be better. I have many enemies already and I don't need more. I need friends."
He and Sara Duterte ran for office together in 2022.
But their relationship soured. She was impeached earlier this year on multiple charges, including a threat to have Marcos assassinated.
The relationship went from bad to worse when her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, was detained by the International Criminal Court for his so-called war on drugs.
The midterm polls took place last week, with 12 seats up for grabs in the Senate. Candidates allied with Marcos secured six. Duterte's camp got three, including one candidate who secured more votes than anyone else.
The result suggests Duterte's influence in Filipino politics remains strong.
Her impeachment trial is set to start in July, and the Senate will serve as jury. If convicted, she will be disqualified from holding public office and running for president in 2028.
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