First Lady Liza to VP Sara: You crossed the line


At a glance

  • According to First Lady Liza, she was hurt because she knew President Marcos would do everything to protect Vice President Duterte.

  • The First Lady said she'll continue giving Vice President Duterte the cold shoulder until she apologizes.


First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos said Vice President Sara Duterte crossed the line when the latter was supposed to be President Marcos' alter ego but laughed when her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, called Marcos "bangag" (stoned) in a rally in Davao City in January.

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File photos of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte

The First Lady said this in an interview with broadcaster Anthony Taberna on his YouTube channel aired Friday past midnight, April 19.

In the interview, Marcos said she was not a hypocrite and admitted she was ignoring the Vice President whenever they were in the same event because of the incident, something that people online have observed.

"Mali 'yan, eh (That's wrong). You crossed the line. I’m many things but I am not a hypocrite," she said.

The First Lady said she did not talk to the Vice President during President Marcos' departure speech for his State Visit to Vietnam the day after the incident and even borrowed the term used in the Davao rally.

"Somebody went to me and said, 'Oy ang ganda ma today.' 'Hinde mukha akong bangag.' (Somebody said I look beautiful today but I said, 'No, I look stoned'). No reactions," she said.

"Bangag (Stoned) is the word of the day. Talagang no reaction (There was really no reaction). So ayun after that, I snubbed her. I’d do it again," she added.

According to First Lady Liza, she was hurt because she knew President Marcos would do everything to protect Vice President Duterte.

"For me nasaktan ako (I was hirt) because my husband will do everything to protect you. You ran together 'di ba, 'Sama-sama tayo babangon muli' (and said together we will rise as one)," she said, referring to the pair's campaign slogan in 2022.

"Pupunta ka sa rally, tawagan yung presidente mong bangag, 'di ba? You're going to laugh? Tama ba 'yan? (You'll go to a rally, and your president will be called stoned. You're going to laugh? Is that right?) Even [former vice president] Leni (Robredo) never did that," she added.

"Mali ata 'yan, 'di ba (I don't think that's right). You're getting sweldo (salary) from the government, you're supposed to be the alter ego, we’re there protecting you, ta's gagawin mo 'yan (then you'll do that)?" she continued.

The First Lady said she'll continue giving Vice President Duterte the cold shoulder until she apologizes.

"Bad shot na 'yan sa akin unless she says sorry or whatever, or maybe she will. She crossed the line," she said.

"Going down sa Prague (in March 2024) nakita ko siya ulit (I saw heragain). Sabi ni Bong, 'behave.' Sabi ko, (Bong asked me to behave but I said) 'Wrong person, honey.'" she added.

The former president has been vocal about his disdain for President Marcos and his policy, particularly about charter change and the South China Sea.

Duterte even attacked Marcos personally, calling him a drug addict, a crybaby, and someone who did not finish college.

Marcos had already brushed off Duterte's tirades, saying he just ignores him and that the latter's ad hominem attacks have no place in serious discussions such as foreign policy.

Asked about his relationship with the Dutertes on Monday, April 15, the President had two words.

"It’s complicated," he said.

Despite this, Marcos said his relationship with Vice President Sara Duterte, his predecessor's daughter, remains the same.

"The one, of course, I have the most contact with is Inday Sara and how we were with each other during the campaign, after the election, it hasn’t really changed," he said.