President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday addressed Vice President Sara Duterte’s surprising gratitude toward him, acknowledging that he was glad to help mend her relationship with her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Speaking to reporters, Marcos gave a brief but direct response after being informed of Sara’s public statement crediting him for restoring ties with the former leader.
“Glad I could help,” Marcos said.
The statement came after Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro confirmed that she had relayed Duterte’s words of appreciation to Marcos and asked for his response.
Sara Duterte Speaks on Renewed Relationship
Sara Duterte made headlines last week when she publicly thanked Marcos for his role in healing the rift between her and her father.
“This really is ironic, but I have to thank Bongbong Marcos because there was forgiveness between me and [former President Duterte] for all that has happened in our lives,” she told reporters.
The vice president also acknowledged that despite their political and personal differences in recent years, she and her father had now rebuilt their father-daughter relationship. However, she clarified that she is not involved in discussions about her father’s ongoing legal battles.
The elder Duterte is currently facing trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his war on drugs. His arrest by the ICC, which shocked many in the country, went against earlier declarations from the Marcos administration that the government would not cooperate with the tribunal.
Duterte Stays Silent on ICC Case
While the former president has remained largely silent on his ICC trial, Sara Duterte said she would not comment on legal matters concerning her father.
“I cannot speak with him about that,” she told members of the media.
Despite the controversy surrounding Duterte’s case, Sara maintained that she feels “blessed” and chooses to focus on her relationship with her father rather than his legal battles.
The Marcos administration has not issued any new official statements on the ICC case, and it remains unclear whether Duterte’s family will take further action to support his legal defense.
As political tensions continue to rise, all eyes remain on the Duterte family and how their internal reconciliation will impact the country’s leadership.
With Duterte’s trial ongoing and Sara’s growing influence in the administration, the nation waits to see what happens next in this high-stakes political drama.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.