VP Sara: No talks yet with Marcos about election plans

Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday said she has yet to discuss her election plans with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Duterte said this in reaction to Marcos’ statement, thinking that she is “testing the waters” when it comes to her political plans.

“Hindi pa po kami nakakapag-usap ni President Marcos about elections,” Duterte said in an ambush interview.

(President Marcos and I haven’t discussed anything yet about elections.)

Duterte earlier declared her intention to run again for office, but she did not specify what position she is vying for or when exactly she will run.

"I heard my brothers, Mayor Baste and Congressman Pulong, say that they will not run in the next election, so I am here today to campaign with you because I will run in the next election," she said in Bisaya, referring to Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte.

Row with Romualdez

Asked whether her declaration has anything to do with her issue with House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Duterte said, “Hindi ako maka-speculate kung ano iniisip ni Speaker.”

(I can’t speculate about what the Speaker is thinking)

“Hindi ko siya kilala nang malalim. Hindi malalim ang pagkakaibigan namin para mag-speculate ako,” she added

(I don’t know him that well. Our friendship is not that deep for me to speculate.)

Duterte also pointed to Romualdez’ cousin, Senator Imee Marcos, to describe her relationship with the Speaker. 

“Sa tingin mo kumusta kaya relasyon naming dalawa?” she told reporters.

(How well do you think our relationship is?)

“The very best description and comment kung ano ang relasyon namin ni Speaker Martin Romualdez ay galing kay Senator Imee Marcos—— marami ang hindi nakakaintindi, bakit inaatake mo ang kaalyado ng administrasyon?” 

(The very best description and comment on my relationship with Romualdez came from Imee Marcos—-many are questioning why he is attacking an ally of the administration.)

Marcos last Tuesday implied that she is not on good terms with Romualdez because she sided with the Dutertes.

“Alam ko may tampo ‘yun sa 'kin eh mula nung October dahil nga sinabi ko na pro-Duterte ako. Kasi gusto ko ngang masalba at huwag masira ang UniTeam,” the presidential sister said. 

(I know that he has been upset with me since October because I said that I was pro-Duterte. I just wanted to save the UniTeam and not see it destroyed.)

Marcos said she advised Romualdez not to fight with the Dutertes because they have been good to them. 

Duterte was at the Esteban Abada Elementary School in Quezon City for the launch of the School Mental Health Program and School-Based Feeding Program for 2024.—AOL, GMA Integrated News