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Palace Rebukes VP Sara Over 'Hostage' Remark; Says President Marcos Not Involved In Personal Deals
Screengrab from RTVM
Malacañang has pushed back against Vice President Sara Duterte’s pointed remarks during an Independence Day celebration in Malaysia, where she said she would only "release" Senator Imee Marcos once former President Rodrigo Duterte returns to the Philippines. The Palace dismissed the statement as a personal arrangement between two individuals, clarifying that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has no involvement in the matter.
In a strongly worded response, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro criticized the vice president’s comment, suggesting it paints an inaccurate picture of the President’s role and priorities.
“Is this what’s being called a ‘hostage’ situation? This seems more like an agreement between two people — one who’s manipulating, and one who’s willing to be manipulated,” Castro said in a statement. “The President has no participation in this.”
The Palace emphasized that President Marcos remains focused on matters of national concern — most urgently, the ongoing power crisis in Siquijor.
“If the vice president had coordinated with her friend earlier on, perhaps the crisis in Siquijor wouldn’t have reached this point,” Castro added, implying that more timely cooperation could have helped avert the power shortage in the island province.
VP Sara Duterte’s remarks in Malaysia were made in reference to Senator Imee Marcos, sister of President Marcos, whom she jokingly refused to “release” until former President Rodrigo Duterte — currently detained abroad in connection with an ICC investigation — is brought back to the country. The vice president said: “Dahil ang kapatid mo ang nagpadala sa kanya sa Hague, ikaw ang magbabalik sa kanya sa Pilipinas.”
While the statement appeared partly tongue-in-cheek, the Palace’s swift response signals a growing discomfort with Duterte’s public framing of her personal loyalty to her father as part of a broader political narrative — one that now seems to be increasingly at odds with the Marcos administration.
As tensions between the camps of the current and former presidents appear to deepen, Malacañang’s message is clear: President Marcos is staying above personal games and is focused on governance.
In a strongly worded response, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro criticized the vice president’s comment, suggesting it paints an inaccurate picture of the President’s role and priorities.
“Is this what’s being called a ‘hostage’ situation? This seems more like an agreement between two people — one who’s manipulating, and one who’s willing to be manipulated,” Castro said in a statement. “The President has no participation in this.”
The Palace emphasized that President Marcos remains focused on matters of national concern — most urgently, the ongoing power crisis in Siquijor.
“If the vice president had coordinated with her friend earlier on, perhaps the crisis in Siquijor wouldn’t have reached this point,” Castro added, implying that more timely cooperation could have helped avert the power shortage in the island province.
VP Sara Duterte’s remarks in Malaysia were made in reference to Senator Imee Marcos, sister of President Marcos, whom she jokingly refused to “release” until former President Rodrigo Duterte — currently detained abroad in connection with an ICC investigation — is brought back to the country. The vice president said: “Dahil ang kapatid mo ang nagpadala sa kanya sa Hague, ikaw ang magbabalik sa kanya sa Pilipinas.”
While the statement appeared partly tongue-in-cheek, the Palace’s swift response signals a growing discomfort with Duterte’s public framing of her personal loyalty to her father as part of a broader political narrative — one that now seems to be increasingly at odds with the Marcos administration.
As tensions between the camps of the current and former presidents appear to deepen, Malacañang’s message is clear: President Marcos is staying above personal games and is focused on governance.
Jun 13, 2025
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