MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio declared that her “UniTeam” with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during the 2022 national elections no longer exists.
In an interview from Davao City on Wednesday, Duterte-Carpio said their partnership was only created during the campaign period and it was already done after they were elected.
“UniTeam was the tandem during the 2022 elections. And then ngayon na tapos na ang elections, nanalo na kami,” Duterte-Carpio said in an ambush interview.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa aming kababayan sa kanilang suporta sa tandem ng UniTeam noong 2022,” she added. “(It no longer exists because) we are not candidates anymore.”
Cracks in the Marcos and Duterte-Carpio partnership began to show in 2023 when the leadership of the House of Representatives under Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez — Marcos’ cousin – removed former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as senior deputy speaker. The Vice President responded by bolting Lakas-CMD, Romualdez’s party.
Duterte-Carpio was then stripped off her confidential funds by the Romualdez-led House under the 2024 national budget.
Then earlier this year, former President Rodrigo Duterte accused President Marcos of using illegal drugs in a prayer rally in Davao City. His allegations were denied by the President.
Sometime after, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos said in an interview that Duterte-Carpio was a “bad shot” to her. The Vice President was caught on camera laughing while her father verbally attacked the President in a Davao event/PN
