- FPRRD suspicious of Marcos Jr.’s reconciliation efforts
MAYOR-ELECT Rodrigo Duterte remained skeptical of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s recent pronouncement to bury the hatchet with political opponents, particularly the Duterte family.
This was revealed by former councilor Benjamin Duterte, the youngest brother of the former president, in a talk with Atty. Harry Roque outside the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague.
When asked about President Marcos Jr.’s overtures, Bong Duterte quoted his brother saying, “He [the former president] doesn’t believe it.” He added, “He [the former president] just said, ‘Watch out for Sara, because she cannot be stopped.’’
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte has yet to issue a response after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s public declaration on Monday, May 19, of possibly mending ties with the Duterte family despite recent tensions between their respective camps.
However, in previous interviews, she said that it’s not in her character to forgive easily, and she couldn’t be bought with money.
During the inaugural episode of the “BBM Podcast” on Facebook, Mr. Marcos said he doesn’t need more enemies.
“Ako, ayaw ko ng gulo. Gusto kong magkasundo (ang) lahat ng tao. Marami na akong kaaway. Hindi ko kailangan ng kaaway. Kailangan ko ng kaibigan. Hangga’t maaari, ako, ang habol ko ay ‘yung stability, peaceful, para magawa namin ‘yung trabaho namin,” the president said.
Meanwhile, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go said that if the President was serious about extending an olive branch, he must repatriate Duterte from The Hague.
In a swift response, Undersecretary Claire Castro, the presidential communications officer, underscored the government’s commitment to legal processes.
Castro said it is the law, not friendship, that will prevail, indicating that any actions regarding Duterte’s status would be strictly guided by legal frameworks and international obligations.
