Imee: UniTeam showing cracks; Baste urges BBM to resign

BY RAYMOND AFRICA and VICTOR REYES

SEN. Imee Marcos yesterday said cracks have started to show in the UniTeam alliance between President Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte supposedly due to “devils” surrounding her brother.

In Davao City, Mayor Sebastian Duterte said the President should step down from the presidency if he does not love the country.

Duterte, son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, made the remarks during the “Hakbang ng Maisug” forum in Davao City prior to a prayer rally that seeks to oppose moves to amend the Constitution via a people’s initiative being pushed by the House of Representatives.

“Mr. President, if you have no love and aspiration for your country, resign,” said Duterte during the forum which was attended by hundreds of followers of the Duterte family.

Marcos, in an interview with dzBB radio, said that while the President and Vice President have remained “civil” in their public appearances, a rift has allegedly come between them due to intrigues sown by people whom she described as evil.

“Sasabihin ko ang totoo: talagang may hidwaan. Kaya lang trying hard pa rin, hope springs eternal, talagang pinagpipilitan pa rin na mag-kaisa dahil sabi ko nga, ‘yung mga demonyo, mga aali-aligid diyan, sila naman ang panggulo. ‘Yung mga principal hindi naman nag-aaway eh, bakit pinag-aaway (I must admit that there is really a rift [between the President and the Vice President]. But they are trying hard, hope springs eternal, to still be united because like what I have said, the devils, those surrounding us, they are the ones creating the disagreements. The principals are not fighting, and yet they want them to clash),” Marcos said.

She did not identify who the “devils” are.

When asked if the Marcos administration’s working relationship with the Dutertes is still harmonious, she said that she really cannot tell.

“Nalilito kasi ako. Kasi halimbawa, tungkol kay president (Rodrigo) Duterte, nag statement si Presidente na 100 percent hindi raw papupuntahin ang ICC (International Criminal Court), pero ang DOJ (Department of Justice), sinasabi na nandito na raw na parang turista, nagpapasyal lang. Ano ba yan? Tapos mag-iinterview ng kung