President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has expressed willingness to reconcile with Vice President Sara Duterte, despite recent tensions and her sharp criticisms of him. In a quick interview with reporters, when asked about the possibility of mending ties, Marcos simply said, “Never say never.”
Duterte had earlier declared in a press briefing that their rift had reached a “point of no return.” She accused certain individuals of targeting her, stating, “It’s clear that they are really going after me.”
A Troubled Partnership
The once-solid partnership between Marcos and Duterte began to unravel after questions arose in the House of Representatives about the use of confidential and intelligence funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), which Duterte leads.
The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability has since launched an investigation into the matter, intensifying the friction.
Alarming Revelations
Adding fuel to the fire, Duterte made a startling claim over the weekend. She revealed in an online briefing that she had hired someone to target Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if any assassination attempt against her were to succeed.
This alarming statement prompted the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to launch a formal inquiry into her allegations.
A Rift with National Implications
The ongoing feud between the two top leaders has cast a shadow over their 2022 election partnership, raising concerns about its impact on the government. While Duterte has shown no signs of backing down, Marcos remains open to the possibility of reconciliation. Whether this will lead to peace or further conflict remains to be seen.
