President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. acknowledged his role in Vice President Sara Duterte’s reconciliation with her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, saying simply, “Glad, I could help.”
The Vice President earlier said she “has to thank” Marcos for her renewed relationship with her father, who is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands.
“This really is ironic, but I have to thank Bongbong Marcos because there was forgiveness between me and [former president Duterte] for all that has happened in our lives,” Sara said.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently investigating alleged crimes against humanity committed during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. The probe has led to increased scrutiny of the former president’s policies and has prompted responses from both the present and past administrations.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro, however, suggested that the Vice President should first thank her father, citing the circumstances that led to their renewed bond.
“It would be better if VP Sara first thanked her father, former president Duterte, because if she had the opportunity and time to be with him, it was due to the extrajudicial killings (EJK) case,” Castro said in a briefing.
“If the alleged actions related to the war on drugs had not taken place and if no complaints had been filed, they would not have had the opportunity to go to The Hague,” she added.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Marcos on VP Sara reconciling with father: ‘Glad I could help’”