Marcos confident of Sara’s competence, dedication

MANILA, Philippines — President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has congratulated vice president-elect Sara Duterte following her inauguration last Sunday, saying her competence, dedication and love for country would make her a great leader.

“I am truly happy and honored to witness the inauguration of the 15th Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines, Inday Sara Duterte,” Marcos said in Filipino in a video entry posted on his Facebook page yesterday.

“We are confident that she will show her competence, dedication and love for the country as she fulfills her sworn duty,” he added.

Marcos, together with his wife Liza, son Ilocos Norte representative-elect Sandro and sister, Sen. Imee attended Duterte’s inauguration in Davao City.

Outgoing President Duterte was also present during the ceremony to support his daughter.

In a chance interview with ABS-CBN News right after the ceremony, Marcos was all praises for his running mate in the May 9 elections. “I am so proud of her. She’s gonna be great. She will do a great job. I know it,” Marcos said.

Allies for life

The Duterte family and the Marcoses are allies for life, Senator Marcos said after the oath-taking ceremonies.

“The Dutertes can count on us. Davao can count on us, and Mindanao will always be a priority as it was during my father’s time. That won’t change,” Marcos told reporters in mixed Filipino and English, referring to the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

“We’re Solid North because we’re Ilocanos but we’re also Solid South because we’re affiliated and allied with the Dutertes for life,” she added.

When asked about what she whispered to Duterte during the ceremonies, the senator said: “I just thanked the President.”

“He said ‘I didn’t do anything.’ I said: ‘you did so many things, in six years, you made Filipinos proud.’ Thank you very much, Mr. President for your service. We now hold our heads up high,” the senator said.

No work, no politics

The vice president-elect said she does not discuss work nor politics with her father.

“PRRD (President Duterte) and ako hindi kami, and I think nasabi na rin niya ’yan publicly, we don’t discuss trabaho and we don’t discuss politics. So, pag nakikita kami usually ang pinag-usapan namin ay mga tsismis sa family members, mga tismis sa paligid,” Sara said, describing her relation with her father as “very normal.”

Duterte, known to be a fiercely independent woman, likewise said she trusts her “gut feel” in making decisions in life even as she may listen to what the elderly and experienced ones have to say.

Sara took her oath before Supreme Court Justice Paul Hernando as she put her hand on the Bible that was held by her mother Elizabeth Zimmerman.

Afterwards, the President and Sara finally got together on the same stage and hugged, much to the delight of the crowd.

In her inaugural address Sunday, Sara emphasized the need to “honor God, love country and protect the family” and added that her life is “a testament to the power of God” as she was swayed to a career in governance and public service.

The event was a first inauguration of a president or vice president held in Davao City as her father took his oath at Malacañang in 2016.

Leni: I wish her well

Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday wished Sara Duterte success and expressed hope she would continue her programs for communities.

“We don’t want anything but for our new officials to perform well because when their performance is good, we will also benefit, the whole country,” Robredo said in Filipino in Magarao, Camarines Sur.

Robredo was not able to attend Duterte’s inauguration due to conflict in schedule.

Asked for her message to Duterte, Robredo said, “I already congratulated her. I wished her well.” Robredo added that she is confident the new leadership would continue her programs at the Office of the Vice President. – Paolo Romero, Edith Regalado, Helen Flores