VP Sara Duterte to Marcos amid health talk: ‘Good luck sa kaniya’

Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday responded with a brief “good luck” message to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when asked about circulating online discussions on his health.

“Good luck sa kaniya (Good luck to him),” she said.

Duterte made the remark on the sidelines of the 84th commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan at the Veterans Memorial Monument in Davao City, according to a report by Rgil Relator of GMA Regional TV One Mindanao.

The Vice President did not elaborate further on her statement.

Earlier, Marcos assured the public that he is in good health condition, urging them not to believe with what they are seeing on social media. 

“I am back to my regular routine for the last three months. Patuloy ang aking ginagawa—watching my health, making sure that I am always ready to work,” the President said.

The President’s statement came amid online speculation about his health, which Malacañang officials have since addressed.

‘State of the nation has failed the Filipino soldier’

In an ambush interview, Duterte stressed the importance of remembering the sacrifices of Filipino soldiers but said current conditions show otherwise.

“Kailangan maalala ng ating mga anak 'yung sakripisyo ng mga sundalo para tayo ay mabuhay nang mapayapa dito sa ating bansa pero sabi ko nga kanina doon sa aking speech, sadly, the state of the nation has failed the Filipino soldiers," she said. 

"Nakikita ninyo, there's an absence of an independent foreign policy framework para sa ating bayan," she added.

(Our children must remember the sacrifices of soldiers so we can live peacefully in our country. But as I said earlier in my speech, sadly, the state of the nation has failed the Filipino soldiers. As you can see, there is an absence of an independent foreign policy framework for our country.)

She questioned whose interests are being protected under current policies.

“Hindi mo na alam kung kaninong interes ba talaga ang pinoprotektahan ng ating mga kasundaluhan (You no longer know whose interests our armed forces are truly protecting),” Duterte said.

In reaction to this, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Vice President cannot speak for the entire active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

''Matatalino at professional ang ating kasundaluhan at kitang kita ito sa pamumuno nina Sec. Gibo Teodoro at  Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr.,'' Castro told Palace reporters.

(Our soldiers are smart and professional and this can be seen through the leadership of DND Secretary Gibo Teodoro and AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr.) 

The Palace official also called on soldiers to remain apolitical and non-partisan.

''Sa magigiting natin na mga kasundaluhan manatili lamang kayong walang kinikilingang pansarili o political interest dahil alam ninyo ang tunay na stance ng Pangulo... na interes at kapakinabangan ng Pilipinas ang dapat na inuuna lalo na sa WPS,'' she said.

(To our soldiers, please remain apolitical and non-partisan as you all know the stance of the President and that's for the interest and welfare of the country, especially the West Philippine Sea.) 

The Vice President also raised concerns over what she described as the gradual resurgence of insurgency with various skirmishes in different areas, as well as the recruitment of youth into the NPA.

She further pointed to developments in the Bangsamoro region, citing what she called a weakening peace process.

Amid criticisms made by Duterte, Castro said the Vice President is part of the government but she is not providing any solution to the issues caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

''Parte si VP Sara ng pamahalaan, pero wala siyang alam na solusyon sa mga kasalukuyang isyu kundi manira lang. Ang paninira nila ay hindi makakatulong sa nangyayaring krisis sa Middle East,'' she said. 

(VP Sara is part of the government but she doesn't provide any solution to all issues as she only throw criticisms to the administration. Her criticisms do not help address the crisis in the Middle East.)

The annual observance of Araw ng Kagitingan honors the bravery and sacrifice of Filipino and allied forces during World War II, particularly those who fought in the Battle of Bataan.

Duterte said the occasion should serve not only as remembrance but also as a call to address present-day issues affecting national security and the welfare of Filipino soldiers.—Sherylin Untalan, with a report from Anna Felicia Bajo/AOL, GMA News