First Couple in public, Facebook displays of affection

MANILA, Philippines — As the controversy that stemmed from First Lady Liza Marcos’ tirades on Vice President Sara Duterte rages on, the First Couple was seen displaying gestures of affection both online and in the real world.

On Sunday, Marcos posted on Facebook a photo of him and Liza eating Jollibee Chickenjoy, palabok and “Champ” burger.

The President said the dinner was inspired by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who stopped by one of the branches of the Filipino fast food chain during his visit to the Philippines this week.

“The recent stop of PM Luxon of New Zealand to Jollibee reminded me how long it’s been since we’ve eaten there so… the FL (First Lady) Liza and I are having a delicious Jollibee dinner tonight,” Marcos said in his post. “My nutritionist is unhappy with me so I told her to direct her concerns to PM (Prime Minister) Luxon. Thank you PM Luxon for the inspiration!!”?

Hours before Marcos posted the photo, Liza uploaded a picture of her and the President bonding in La Union.?“Spending quality time in celebration of our 31st wedding anniversary,” the caption of her photo read.?Marcos and Liza married on April 17, 1993.

But the first couple’s display of affection went beyond social media posts.?While waiting for Qatar Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani to join them for a photo opportunity at the Malacañang reception hall, Marcos and Liza were seen dancing. The Qatari leader had a bilateral meeting with Marcos yesterday as part of his two-day state visit to the Philippines.?

In a recent interview with broadcaster Anthony Taberna, Liza said Sara is now a “bad shot” because the Vice President laughed when her husband was accused of being a drug addict in a recent rally in Davao City.?Sara’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, made the allegation.

“I mean for me, nasaktan ako (I was hurt) because my husband will do everything to protect you,” the First Lady said. “You will go to a rally, your president will be called a drug addict, you’re going to laugh. Tama ba yan (is that right)?”

Sara, who ran for vice president under the Marcos-led UniTeam coalition, is also the education secretary.

Meanwhile, Rep. Joel Chua said the recent revelation of the First Lady raises serious questions about the Vice President’s real character.

“The Vice President’s character and integrity are now in serious question. In public service, character and integrity are everything, so those feelings of the FL are not mere personal matters that can be cast aside as if they had no weight or importance,” Chua said.

The congressman of Manila’s third district also reminded the education secretary that Marcos’ feelings toward her are “about Sara’s character and integrity as a supposed member of the administration and as a public servant.”

“How can VP Sara serve with pure sincerity the Filipino people if she cannot even fully support – with all her heart – her supposed ally, President Marcos?” Chua asked.

He issued the statement in reaction to Duterte “shunning FL Liza’s personal feelings.” –  Delon Porcalla