Palace: Marcos not privy to 'deal' between Sara, Imee on bringing home Duterte

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has no participation in the supposed ''deal'' between Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Imee Marcos to bring home former President Rodrigo Duterte.

During a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked how does Malacañang view the Vice President's remark that she is bringing with her the president's sister wherever she goes as the latter will be the one who will bring her father back to the Philippines.

The former president is under custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague due to allegations related to his administration's anti-illegal drugs campaign.

''Ito ba iyong binanggit niya na hostage niya, si Senator Imee Marcos? Ang Pangulo ay walang partisipasyon sa kanilang naging kasunduan. The President is not privy to the contract or agreement between a user and a person willing to be used. Walang kinalaman ang Pangulo sa kontratang kanilang pinasukan, iyong isang tao na manggagamit at isang taong willing magpagamit,'' Castro said.

(Is this the one where she mentioned that Senator Imee Marcos was being held hostage? The President has no participation with their deal. The President is not a privy to the contract or agreement between a user and a person willing to be used. The President had nothing to do with the agreement between a user and someone who's willing to be used.)

Imee was with Duterte during her personal trip in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She called for support for Duterte during an event with overseas Filipino workers there.

Castro, meanwhile, said the President only wants to focus on his duties, noting that another concern was added as she mentioned the power crisis in Siquijor province.

''At ang nais lang po natin sana ay ang Pangulo po kasi ang sinabi niya ay tuloy-tuloy siya sa kanyang pagtatrabaho, focus sa trabaho. Nadagdag pa nga po ang problema dito sa Siquijor. At kung ang Bise Presidente lamang sana ay nakipag-usap sa kanyang kaibigan, baka hindi pa dumaan at dumating sa krisis na ito sa Siquijor,'' she added.

(The President only wants to focus on his job. Another problem in Siquijor was even added to the President's concerns. It would be better if the Vice President talked to her friend then maybe there's no crisis in Siquijor.)

The Siquijor Island Power Cooperative (SIPCOR), which provides power supply in the province, is owned by the Villar Group of Companies.

To recall, the Vice President supported the senatorial bid of Senator-elect Camille Villar during the midterm polls, despite Villar being under the administration's Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas. — BAP, GMA Integrated News