Palace: No info on Sara Duterte's reported request to meet privately with Marcos

Malacañang on Monday said it could not confirm reports that Vice President Sara Duterte had allegedly sought a “private meeting” with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Wala po tayong makukumpirma patungkol diyan dahil wala namang binababa sa ating anumang impormasyon kung mayroon ngang ganyang kaganapan. Sa ngayon, wala tayong makukumpirma,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a briefing.

(We cannot confirm anything regarding that because no information has been passed down to us on whether such an event actually took place. As of now, we have nothing to confirm.)

Castro made the statement when asked about reports that Duterte had supposedly sought a meeting with the President to offer her resignation and be allowed to run in the 2028 presidential elections.

If Duterte did make such a request, Castro said Marcos is open to talking with anyone, including those who hold views different from his.

“Sa una pa lang niyang podcast, kahit sino sa lahat ng maaaring hindi sumasang-ayon sa kanya, siya ay bukas upang makipag-usap para magkaroon ng magandang pagkakaintindihan. Hindi partikular para kay Vice President,” Castro said.

(Ever since his first podcast, he has been open to talking with anyone who might disagree with him in order to reach a better understanding. It is not specifically for the Vice President.)

When further asked if the President remains open to working with Duterte, Castro said: “Sa lahat ng kababayan natin. Sa lahat ng tao, open ang Pangulo.”

(To all our fellow countrymen. To everyone, the President is open.)

Marcos and Duterte ran as a tandem in the 2022 national elections, but their alliance later fractured amid allegations of budget insertions and a growing political feud.

In 2024, Marcos said he was not closing the door on reconciling with Duterte.

Meanwhile, House prosecution panel adviser and former Rep. Ace Barbers said the between the top two officials is unlikely.

“I don't think both parties that allegedly met...I don't know if that would be a possible scenario,” Barbers said in a press conference during Day 16 of the impeachment trial of Duterte amid reports of such a meeting circulating over the weekend

Barbers said that as it is, the prosecution panel is determined to prove their impeachment case and secure conviction of the Vice President before the Senate impeachment court.

“As far as the prosecution panel is concerned, we are in the process of letting the truth come out and exact accountability in accordance with mechanisms provided in our Constitution. If ever there are talks of trade-offs, it wasn’t on the table for the prosecution because the task at hand is to present a solid case in this trial,” Barbers said.

“We have to present evidence and ensure that the public understands the weight of our evidence. We are not aware of [supposed] private meetings,” he added.— MCG, GMA News