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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace dubs VP Sara-Senator Imee's ties as 'user-willing to be used'

Palace dubs VP Sara-Senator Imee's ties as 'user-willing to be used'

Published Jun 13, 2025 02:08 pm
After Vice President Sara Duterte called Senator Imee Marcos her hostage amid the quest to bring former president Rodrigo Duterte home, Malacañang responded by saying that President Marcos has nothing to do with whatever deal the vice president and the presidential sister had, calling them a "user" and someone "willing to be used," respectively.
Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Imee Marcos celebrate the Independence Day with the Filipino community in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 12, 2025. (Photo courtesy of PDP-Laban)
Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Imee Marcos celebrate the Independence Day with the Filipino community in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 12, 2025. (Photo courtesy of PDP-Laban)
Marcos has "no participation," "not a privy," and "has nothing to do" with the "contract or agreement" the vice president and the senator had in relation to the effort of the Dutertes to bring their patriarch back to the Philippines, Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said.
In her Independence Day speech in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Duterte said she always brings Senator Imee to her engagements because "she is like a hostage," and she would be the one bringing Duterte back to the country because it was her brother— President Marcos— who brought the former president to the Hague.
In jest, the vice president said she would only let go of Senator Imee once her father is back in Davao.
When asked for the Palace's reaction on these statements, Castro distanced the President from it, saying he has no participation in the agreement the vice president and presidential sister made.
"Ito ba iyong binanggit niya na hostage niya, si Senator Imee Marcos. Well, iyan po ay kasunduan ng dalawa, ng Bise Presidente at ni Senator Imee Marcos. Ang Pangulo ay walang partisipasyon sa kanilang naging kasunduan (Was this about Senator Imee Marcos as her hostage? Well, that is an agreement between the two — the Vice President and Senator Imee Marcos. The President had no participation in the agreement they made)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Friday, June 13.
"Walang kinalaman ang Pangulo sa kontratang kanilang pinasukan, iyong isang tao na manggagamit at isang taong willing magpagamit (The President is not a privy to the contract or agreement between a user and a person willing to be used)," Castro added.
The Palace official also stressed that the President has been busy and focused with work, especially about addressing the current power crisis in Siquijor.
"At ang nais lang po natin sana ay ang Pangulo po kasi ang sinabi niya at tuloy-tuloy siya sa kanyang pagtatrabaho, focus sa trabaho. Nadagdag pa nga po ang problema dito sa Siquijor (What we only wish to emphasize is that the President, as he said, remains focused on his work and continues to perform his duties)," Castro said.
Without naming names, Castro said if only the vice president talked to "her friend," the power crisis in Siquijor could have been prevented from getting worse.
"At kung ang Bise Presidente lamang sana ay nakipag-usap sa kanyang kaibigan, baka hindi pa dumaan at dumating sa krisis na ito sa Siquijor ( In fact, the situation in Siquijor has added to his problems. And if only the vice president had spoken with her friend, perhaps this crisis in Siquijor could have been avoided)," Castro added.

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VP Sara Duterte Senator Imee Marcos President Marcos Claire Castro
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