Imee Marcos sorry to Sara Duterte for pushing her to run for VP

Senator Imee Marcos has apologized to Vice President Sara Duterte for supposedly causing her misfortune by encouraging her to run during the 2022 elections and allowing her to be subjected to “brutal” national politics.

In a video posted Tuesday, Marcos said she feels guilty for what happened to the Vice President—who is yet again facing another impeachment proceeding—and to her family, particularly former president Rodrigo Duterte, who was arrested and transferred to The Hague, Netherlands for charges of crimes against humanity. 

“Hihingi rin siguro ako ng tawad dapat sa mga Duterte, higit sa lahat sa VP natin, kay Inday Sara. Pinahamak ko siya eh. Talagang naiisip ko na guilting-guilty ako. Sana nananahimik sa Davao ‘yun. Mayor siya, walang kalaban-laban, walang hassle, walang gulo,” Marcos said. 

(I should also apologize to the Dutertes, especially to our Vice President, Inday Sara. I have put her in danger. I really feel guilty. She was supposed to only live a quiet life in Davao. She was the mayor, she had no opponents, no hassles, no problems.) 

“Si Presidente, si Tatay Digong, nandito sana sa piling natin. Ang dami kong pagsisisi,” she added. 

(Former president Duterte should have been here with us right now. I have so many regrets.) 

Marcos, in a separate video posted Monday, recalled that her father, late president Ferdinand Marcos, used to tell her to repent and reflect on who she should forgive and ask forgiveness from during the Holy Week. 

In the first video, she sought forgiveness from her father for supposedly not being able to watch over her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., whom she has had a falling-out with over issues on politics and alleged drug use.

Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte, who ran together in 2022 under the Uniteam alliance, also have an apparent rift which started in late 2023. 

According to Imee, she had no idea that things would turn sour. 

“Ngayon, nag-uusap kami (ni Sara). Sabi nga niya, 'pag nayayamot, sasabihin sa akin, ‘Kasalanan mo ‘to eh, dinamay-damay mo pa ako eh.’ Sabi ko, ‘Talaga, dinamay kita pero hindi ko na naman akalain magkakaganito,’” she said. 

(Whenever Sara and I talk and she’s frustrated, she would tell me it’s my fault because I let her get involved in this. I would admit it, but I had no idea that this would happen.) 

Regardless of the situation, the senator said there’s still a silver lining that Sara was elected Vice President because she is in a better position to help Filipinos in need. 

“Kung mayor ka lang, ano kaya ang gagawin sa iyo? Anong gagawin sa siyudad mo, sa Davao, sa buong Mindanao at Mindanaoan? Mabuti nga, VP ka kahit papano, number two sa buong bansa,” Imee added. 

(If you were just a mayor, what would be done to you? What would be done to your city, to Davao, to all of Mindanao and Mindanaoans? It's still good, you're VP, the second highest official in the whole country.) 

Last month, Sara Duterte announced that she will run for president in the 2028 national elections.  —RF, GMA News