* Says it’s her right to be angry
* PBBM rejects calls for VP’s resignation as DepEd Secretary
By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY – Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte declared over the weekend that First Lady Liza Araneta–Marcos’ personal feelings toward her have nothing to do with her duties as a public servant.
The vice president issued the formal statement in her video–message posted on her official Facebook page after the first lady bared in an interview with broadcaster Anthony Taberna that she now sees Duterte, the second highest government official, in a negative light after calling her “a bad shot”.
PBBM: “She stays as DepEd Secretary
“As a person, it is First Lady Liza Marcos’ right to feel resentment and anger. However, her emotions are distinct from my mandate as a government official,” VP Duterte said in a local dialect.
Liza: “Bad shot siya”
To move forward, VP Duterte said she would privately talk about the next steps with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., considering that the country is facing enormous problems that need to be addressed by the government.
“We should focus on addressing the challenges facing our country. The relentless increase in food prices and other commodities further aggravates the plight of our impoverished fellow citizens who do not have enough food,” the vice president said.
VP Duterte also cited the shortage of water and the looming electricity supply while the illegal drug trade continues to increase. She said the threat of crime, terrorism, and insurgency in our country has not yet ended.
VP Sara: “It’s her right to be Angry
“These are the things that deserve our attention. Let us prioritize the Philippines,” VP Duterte said.
Araneta–Marcos earlier expressed that the vice president had gone too far when she was seen participating in an anti–Charter Change candlelight prayer rally in January and found amusement in her father’s (Former President Rodrigo Duterte) comments regarding Marcos being “stoned.”
The former Chief Executive also claimed that the president was on the watchlist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). The latter, however, denied Duterte’s claim.
Following the emotional outbursts of the First Lady, some quarters called for the resignation of the Vice President from the Cabinet as Secretary of Education. This was however brushed aside by President Marcos as there is no basis at all why she should be removed.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte remains to be the most Trusted and sustained her status among the top government officials with highest Approval rating. The Department of Education where she sits as Cabinet Secretary in recent surveys also enjoyed the distinction of being the Most Trusted and Best Performing government agency in the country.