MANILA- Sara: Sen. Marcos convinced me to run, not Romualdez
VICE President Sara Duterte on Wednesday revealed that it was Sen. Maria Josefa Imelda “Imee” Marcos who persuaded her to run for the second highest post in the country and not Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Her statement comes after Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga claimed that it was Romualdez who convinced her.
“The Speaker worked hard for then Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s vice presidential bid because he genuinely believed that she would make a difference. Their rift is sad news and I hope that it will be mended soon,” Barzaga said in a statement.
In a statement sent to reporters, Duterte said that Romualdez had “nothing to do” with her decision to run as vice president.
Memento Maxima Digital Marketing“To say that he ‘tremendously helped in pushing for’ my vice presidential bid is acutely inaccurate — an insult to thousands of groups and individuals who incessantly implored me to reconsider an earlier decision not to join national politics,” Duterte added.
She said that it was a decision sealed only after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed to her conditions.
“There was no Speaker Romualdez in the picture. Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. was obviously badly informed or made to believe a lie.” Duterte stressed.
She also said that a person who cannot distinguish between attack and humor “has no place in politics — especially if one fails to understand that political bickering is just a facet of democracy and should not be equated with governance.”
Duterte also said that the recent political developments had become “amusing” to her as it has become an “opportunity for sycophants.”
Duterte stressed his continued support for the Marcos administration, describing it as “stable and strong” and has the all out support of the people.
This is the first statement that directly referred to Romualdez since her resignation from the chairmanship of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats last May.
In her speech at the Pasindungog partners recognition ceremony on Monday, Duterte called the President’s name without mentioning his middle name, Romualdez.
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