Escudero says Sara tirades vs. Marcos ‘unbecoming’ of VP position

Philippine News Agency

Vice President Sara Z. Duterte during a press conference at her central office in Mandaluyong City on Friday (Oct. 18 2024) (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – The statements of Vice President Sara Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family were unbecoming of the second highest official of the land, a disappointed Senate President Francis Escudero said in a statement over the weekend.

Escudero said Duterte’s acerbic comments against the First Family during a press conference broadcast live on multiple platforms on Friday portrayed her in a bad light.

“Unbecoming ang mga ganyang uri ng pahayag lalo na sa pangalawang pinakamataas na opisyal ng ating bansa (Those kinds of statements are unbecoming, especially from the second highest official of our country),” Escudero said in a news release.

Among other remarks, Duterte said the current administration seemed a failure in addressing inflation and food security.

Duterte claimed she told Senator Imee Marcos, the President’s sister, in a group chat that she will dig the grave of their father, President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., at Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) in Taguig City and throw the remains to the West Philippine Sea.

It was former president Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President’s father, who finally allowed Marcos Sr.’s burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani, in 2016. The elder Duterte said Marcos Sr., who died in 1989, deserved it because he was a former soldier.

The Vice President also daydreamed of decapitating the President, she said in her press conference.

Escudero surmised that the Vice President was airing her frustrations about allegations being raised against her.

He said he understands where she was coming from but said Duterte must be more circumspect in her statements issued in a public setting.

The House of Representatives is investigating the alleged misuse of public funds by the Office of the Vice President.

Escudero said public officials, regardless of their positions, should treat their office with utmost respect and avoid public pronouncements that could end up hurting the very institution they represent.

He remained optimistic that the two highest leaders of the country will reconcile soon.