Marcos would allow Duterte arrest even without rift -Palace

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. would have still honored an Interpol request to arrest former President Rodrigo Duterte even if they had not fallen out, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Attorney Claire Castro said Friday.

In an ambush interview, Castro affirmed that the government would follow the law regardless of personal ties.

''Of course, we will just abide by the law, 'yun po, kung ano man po ang naging kasunduan with the Interpol, kahit sino pa po 'yan, mayroon pang UniTeam, walang UniTeam, it will be the same,'' Castro said.

(Of course, we will just abide by the law. Whatever our agreement with Interpol, even with or without the UniTeam, it will be the same.)

''Hindi po tayo puwedeng magkaroon ng special treatment dahil lang mayroong friendship,'' she added.

(We can't have special treatment just because of friendship.)

Marcos and Duterte's relationship deteriorated after the House of Representatives questioned Vice President Sara Duterte's use of confidential and intelligence funds.

Sara Duterte, former President Duterte's daughter, faced scrutiny as both Vice President and head of the Department of Education.

The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability launched an investigation into the alleged questionable budget use.

On February 5, the House impeached Sara Duterte, with over 200 lawmakers supporting the complaint.

The Articles of Impeachment were sent to the Senate the same day, but the upper chamber adjourned without addressing the matter.

Sara Duterte claimed she was scammed during the 2022 national election when she ran as Marcos' running mate. — DVM, GMA Integrated News