President uninvolved in Sara-Imee ‘hostage’ deal - Palace

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had no involvement in what Vice President Sara Duterte described as a “hostage” arrangement with Senator Imee Marcos to bring back former President Rodrigo Duterte from detention in the Netherlands, a Palace official said on Friday.

Responding to Duterte’s controversial remark, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the president was never a party to a deal between the vice president and his sister.

“Ito ba iyong binanggit niya na hostage niya, si Senator Imee Marcos? Well, iyan po ay kasunduan ng dalawa, ng bise presidente at ni Senator Imee Marcos. Ang pangulo ay walang partisipasyon sa kanilang naging kasunduan,” she said.

[Translation: Is this what she was referring to, that Senator Imee Marcos is her hostage? Well, that is an agreement between the two, the vice president and Senator Imee Marcos. The president had no involvement in their arrangement.]

“The president is not privy to the contract or agreement between a user and a person willing to be used,” Castro added.

“Walang kinalaman ang pangulo sa kontratang kanilang pinasukan, iyong isang tao na manggagamit at isang taong willing magpagamit,” she said.

[The president had nothing to do with the contract they entered into - one person using, and another person willing to be used.]

Castro said President Marcos remains focused on governance, especially amid pressing issues such as the power crisis in Siquijor province.

“At ang nais lang po natin sana ay ang pangulo po kasi ang sinabi niya ay tuloy-tuloy siya sa kanyang pagtatrabaho, focus sa trabaho. Nadagdag pa nga po ang problema dito sa Siquijor,” the Palace said.

[Translation: What we want to stress is that the president has said he is continuing with his work and staying focused. The problem in Siquijor was even added to his concerns.]

Castro said the vice president could have helped in resolving the crisis in Siquijor.

“At kung ang bise presidente lamang sana ay nakipag-usap sa kanyang kaibigan, baka hindi pa dumaan at dumating sa krisis na ito sa Siquijor,” she added.

[Translation: If only the vice president had talked to her close friend, maybe this crisis in Siquijor could have been avoided.]