SENATE PRIB

SENATOR and presidential sister Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos said on Wednesday that people around the Marcos-Duterte political alliance are to blame for the widening a rift between the political families.

“In my opinon, the ‘Uniteam’ now clearly has a crack (may tama, may lamat) in its unity, but I think the principals aren’t having any trouble, rather the demons and snakes on the side are stirring up trouble,” she told a news briefing in Filipino on Wednesday.

Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte earlier claimed President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. was on a so-called “narco-list” of drug users that was submitted to him when he was still mayor of Davao, which the Philippine Drug Enforcement (PDEA) vehemently denied.

Mr. Marcos struck back on Monday, saying his predecessor’s alleged use of fentanyl, a highly addictive synthetic opoid for pain relief, could have affected his judgement. Mr. Duterte admitted to using the drug in 2016 for pain relief after a motorcycle accident.

On Wednesday, Mr. Marcos said his relationship with Vice President Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, Mr. Duterte’s daughter, was still “vibrant” despite the recent trading of verbal barbs.

“It is still working… we will continue,” he said in news briefing, based on a statement published by the Presidential Communications Office.

House Speaker and presidential cousin Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez earlier urged the former president to show proof of his drug allegations.
Ms. Marcos said she would leave it to her brother and Mr. Duterte to settle their differences.— John Victor D. Ordoñez

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR