Duterte believes she still has Marcos' trust

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 19) — Vice President Sara Duterte on Sunday said her relationship with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains «okay» amid rumors of a rift within their alliance, known as the UniTeam.

«We're okay,» Duterte said at the sidelines of the World Children's Day celebration at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

«I believe that I still have the trust of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,» she added.

Rumors of cracks in the UniTeam were revived after the House of Representatives, which is led by Marcos' cousin, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, stripped Duterte of her ₱650-million confidential fund under the proposed 2024 national budget.

This prompted her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, to be publicly critical of the House in televised interviews, even calling the lower chamber the «most rotten institution» in the country.

Duterte said she is looking into rumors about the possible filing of an impeachment complaint against her.

«We are currently doing our due diligence on this one. We will release a comment on the appropriate time,» Duterte said.

House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe earlier dismissed rumors of an impeachment attempt against Duterte as «fake news,» saying these are only aimed at sowing intrigue between the vice president and Romualdez.

House Deputy Minority leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said that while the impeachment talks were «not a serious move,» it still highlights «the growing rift in the supposed UniTeam.»

READ: Romualdez: Uniteam still intact despite House row with Dutertes

As to her father's advice that Duterte no longer seek the presidency in 2028, the Vice President said: «Sinabi ko noon na hindi ko gustong tumakbong president.»

[Translation: I said before that I don't want to run for president.]

“Lahat ng ginagawa natin [Everything we do], we can only plan but it will be God's plan that will truly prevail," she added.