MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio said the personal feelings of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos towards her have nothing to do with her mandate as a government official.
Duterte-Carpio acknowledged the resentment of Araneta-Marcos towards her, but she would rather focus on her duty as Vice President and Education secretary.
“Mga kababayan, bilang tao, karapatan ni Unang Ginang Liza Marcos na makaramdam ng sama ng loob at galit,” Duterte-Carpio said in a video message on Monday.
“Subalit, ang kanyang personal na damdamin ay walang kinalaman sa aking mandato bilang isang opisyal ng pamahalaan,” the Vice President added.
Duterte-Carpio said that instead of responding to Araneta-Marcos’ ill feelings publicly, she would rather talk privately about it with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“Upang makausad tayo, iiwan na natin sa isang pribadong pag-uusap sa pagitan lamang naming ni Pangulong ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. ang mga susunod na hakbang,” Duterte-Carpio said.
Duterte-Carpio also stated that, instead of focusing on Araneta-Marcos’ ill feelings to her, focus must be on the numerous problems and issues hounding the country.
“Patuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng pagkain at iba pang mga bilihin at ito ay mas nagpapahirap pa sa dinaranas na gutom o kawalan ng sapat na pagkain ng mahihirap nating kababayan,” Duterte-Carpio said.
“Nagbabadya rin ang kakulangan ng supply ng tubig at kuryente, habang talamak na naman ang ipinagbabawal na droga,” she added. “Samantala, hindi pa rin natatapos ang banta ng kriminalidad, terorismo at insurhensiya sa ating bansa.”
“Dapat ay nakatutok tayo sa pagtugon sa mga suliraning hinaharap ng ating bansa,” the Vice President further said. “Unahin natin ang Pilipinas.”
Araneta-Marcos, in an interview with broadcaster Anthony Taberna’s “Tune in kay Tunying” program, said Duterte-Carpio was a “bad shot” for her “unless she says sorry or whatever.”
The First Lady’s ill feelings towards the Vice President originated when Duterte-Carpio was captured laughing when her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, called President Marcos “bangag” at a rally in Davao City in late January./PN
