Vice President Sara Duterte speaks during the prayer rally on Sunday, 28 January 2024, which was held to oppose the proposal to amend the 1987 Constitution through people’s initiative. MindaNews photo
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 29 January) – Vice President Sara Duterte revealed Monday she’s getting “despicable treatment “from some sectors within the circle” of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Duterte disclosed this Monday morning, a day after her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and her younger brother, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, separately assailed Marcos here.
Sebastian dared Marcos to resign, stressing that he is “a lazy and not compassionate leader” in a speech during the Hakbang ng Maisug Leaders Forum at the Grand Men Seng Hotel here.
Sara, who was mayor of this city in 2010-2013, 2016-2019 and 2019-2022, said she had not spoken with Sebastian about his remarks on the President’s resignation.
“I can only surmise that Mayor Sebastian Duterte is coming from a place of brotherly love, coupled by the common sentiment that I do not deserve the despicable treatment that I am receiving from some sectors within the circle of the President,” she said in a statement Monday morning.
The Vice President said she will serve the Filipino people, in exchange for the trust of those who voted her to office.
With the “people’s trust,” Sara believed she can handle the attacks, black propaganda, character assassination and other challenges thrown at her.
Hindi man madali, patuloy akong kumukuha ng lakas at inspirasyon sa tiwalang ibinibigay sa akin ng ating mga kababayan (While it is not easy, I continue to draw strength and inspiration from the trust given to me by our countrymen). I take heart from the confidence of the people in my ability to work and thrive in a pandemonium,” she said.
Inspite of what is happening, Duterte said she will not be discouraged.
She said she will stay true to her work at the Department of Education, unless “the President says otherwise.”
“Uunahin ko ang Pilipinas (My priority is the Philippines),” she concluded her statement.
During Sunday’s Hakbang ng Maisug prayer rally against Charter change at the San Pedro Square here, Sara did not touch the issue nor say harsh words against Marcos.
She just thanked the crowd for supporting the Duterte family.
Hours earlier, she briefly showed up at the “Bagong Pilipinas” kick-off rally at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, which the President graced.
During the prayer rally here, former President Duterte called Marcos a “drug addict” and “bangag (high on drugs) with a “hungry for power” wife Liza Araneta-Marcos.
Marcos shot back Monday morning, telling the media in Metro Manila that the Duterte patriarch “might have missed taking” fentanyl, a highly-addictive pain reliever, for him to make such claims.
The President did not comment on Duterte’s claim that he was on the narcolist or politicians involved in illegal drugs.
In a statement on Sunday, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the President’s cousin, said the Dutertes, apparently referring to the elder Duterte and Sebastian, should provide evidences to prove their allegations, especially involving the drugs issue. (Ian Carl Espinosa / MindaNews)
