Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. only smiled at singer Sharon Cuneta’s playful jab about his vice presidential choice, with Malacañang saying that the singer’s comment was her personal opinion one that many Filipinos may also share.
At a Palace briefing, Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro was asked whether Marcos agreed with Cuneta’s remark suggesting he made a “wrong” decision in choosing his running mate in 2022.
“Kung iyon po ang opinyon ni Ate Shawie, ni Ms. Sharon Cuneta at malamang karamihan sa ating mga kababayan ay iyan din po ang nararamdaman. So, opinyon po iyon ni Ms. Sharon Cuneta at nakita po natin na napangiti lamang ang ating pangulo.” Castro said.
[Translation: If that is the opinion of Ate Shawie, Ms. Sharon Cuneta, then it is likely that many of our fellow Filipinos feel the same way. That is her opinion, and we saw that the President merely smiled.]
Castro added that Marcos did not say whether he agreed or disagreed with the singer’s comment.
“Wala po. Nagandahan lamang po siya sa awiting ‘Bituing Walang Ningning.’” she said.
[Translation: None. He was simply pleased with the song “Bituing Walang Ningning.”]
Cuneta made the remark Thursday night during a performance for the president and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos at an event in Manila.
While addressing the audience, she joked that she “only has one vice president,” referring to her husband, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, before adding, “Mali, your choice, no? Sorry, okay, okay, let’s move on,” drawing laughter from attendees.
Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte won the 2022 election by a landslide margin. They have parted ways since early 2024.
