MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ronald dela Rosa defended Vice President Sara Duterte from backlash due to her outburst at President Marcos and his family, saying she was only “human” and was forced to a meltdown because of political persecution.
Dela Rosa was defending Duterte, who in blocking the transfer of her chief of staff Zuleika Lopez from the House of Representatives’ detention facility to the Correctional Institute for Women, went nuclear in an online press briefing accusing the Marcoses of being behind the House investigation on alleged anomalies in the Office of the Vice President.
“If you were in her situation, can you stomach the persecution against her? Is it unbecoming, if her reaction was merely natural, as a human being who is angry and hurt?” Dela Rosa said in Filipino yesterday during an interview with dwIZ.
For his part, Senate President Francis Escudero - who is friends with First Lady Liza Marcos – called Duterte ‘s behavior “unbecoming” for an official of her stature.
“Recent statements made by Vice President Sara Duterte are deeply concerning as they are inappropriate for an official occupying the second highest office of the land. She should keep in mind that as a public official, she has a duty to set an example for the personnel in the Office of the Vice President and our fellow Filipinos, especially our children,” Escudero said.
Asked if Duterte should have controlled her emotions as the country’s second highest official, Dela Rosa said the Vice President only showed her human side in her publicized meltdown early Sunday.
“It is up to the people how they perceive a person’s anger. But I guarantee you, Inday Sara is a genuine person, not plastic, who has emotions also,” he added.
The former top cop was hands off when asked to comment about the Vice President’s “no joke” admission that she had hired an assassin against the First Couple and Speaker Martin Romualdez if she gets killed.
Dela Rosa said he would hold on to Sen. Imee Marcos’ promise to Duterte and Lopez that she would do her best to prevent Lopez’s transfer to a jail facility while the latter is under House detention for contempt.
He also blasted columnist Ramon Tulfo for his “malicious” social media post insinuating that Duterte was adamant about protecting her chief of staff because she and Lopez are in a romantic relationship.
“What a malicious brain that person has. We are in this situation and he will still make up a malicious story. How irresponsible people are,” Dela Rosa said.
In an ambush interview in the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, where Lopez was brought for medical treatment, Dela Rosa said he was able to talk to the Vice President and encouraged her to stand fast against criticisms hurled against her for her hysterical demeanor.
“She said she doesn’t know who to believe or trust anymore. I told her, ‘You are the second highest official of the land. You have to be strong for us,” Dela Rosa said in Filipino.
‘De-escalate’
Escudero urged the Vice President’s allies not to cause political instability and for Duterte to stop issuing “criminal” statements.
“I call on all parties involved to de-escalate the situation to prevent further harm to the safety, health and well-being of everyone involved,” Escudero said.
“I urge those who are close to her—those who truly care about her as a person and as a leader—to advise her to refrain from making these indecorous and possibly criminal statements in public. These do not benefit the Vice President, her office or our country,” he added.
Escudero also urged her to seek mental health care if she encounters such problem so she could continue serving as the second highest official of the land.
“If she is struggling, I sincerely hope she seeks and is provided with the help she may need so she can regain calm and composure and properly discharge her duties as Vice President,” Escudero said.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III – who earlier raised concerns about the Vice President’s emotional well-being – said Duterte opened herself up to a possible lawsuit due to her very public meltdown.
“Those who feel aggrieved by that recent outburst can avail of their remedies in law. But as much as possible, all elective officials should conduct discourse civilly and intellectually and not too emotionally,” Pimentel said.
Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada distanced himself from the issue, saying he is a friend to both the Duterte and Marcos camps.
He hoped that the two would make amends so that governing the country would not be affected by political bickering.
For his part, Sen. Bong Go urged the House to temper from now on its contempt citations following the scandal caused by Lopez’s detention at the chamber.
“This (House investigation) should be in aid of legislation. The rules should not be abused. Please stop the harassment,” Go said.
Go also urged Imee to ask her family to stop the attacks on the Vice President.
“I am appealing for reconciliation among our leaders. The Filipino people have no need for controversies and political bickering now. Let us aim for peace,” Go said.
Former senator Panfilo Lacson also called for a “political ceasefire” so that the country’s leaders can focus on actually governing the land instead of playing politics.
“Instead of having a word war among the camps involved, cooler heads must intervene. If they cannot reach an agreement, at least have a ceasefire so we can address the country’s problems instead of having a word war,” Lacson said.