VP Sara is caretaker despite Duterte, Baste's rants vs. Marcos

Vice President Sara Duterte has been designated as the country's caretaker while President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is in Vietnam for a state visit.

Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil thus confirmed on Monday as Marcos left for Hanoi. Marcos will be in Vietnam until Tuesday.

Several times in past administrations, the President's executive secretary is appointed caretaker instead of the Vice President.

Just before he boarded PR001, Marcos was seen stopping to shake Sara's hand and give her a buss on the cheek.

Just the night before, Sara's father former President Rodrigo Duterte and brother Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte had choice words for the Chief Executive.

The former President said Marcos was a drug addict and warned that he might suffer the same fate as his father, who was deposed in a popular uprising in February 1986, if moves to amend the Constitution would proceed.

The mayor, on the other hand, called on the Chief Executive to resign if he had no love for the country.

Marcos, nonetheless, acknowledged the Vice President during his departure speech. 

There was no interaction between First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and the Vice President before the couple entered the plane.

The First Lady was seen on RTVM video greeting Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who was standing beside Sara on the red carpet.

Earlier, Marcos said the former President's accusations against him was due to the Fentanyl that Duterte has been taking. 

"It is highly addictive and it has very serious side effects. And PRRD [President Rodrigo R. Duterte] has been taking the drug for a very long time now. When was the last time he told us that he was taking fentanyl? Mga (Around) five, six years ago? Something like that. After five, six years it has to affect him," Marcos told reporters.

Marcos said his predecessor's physicians should take care of him. —NB, GMA Integrated News