“Filing charges is my life. Kung 'yan lang, 'wag naman. Sayang naman 'yung panahon ko," she said, though noting it needs to end at some point. "Did my husband ever file [charges] against these people? It has to stop. It has to stop somewhere eh."
Liza Marcos takes issue with VP Duterte's reaction at rally where BBM was called 'bangag': 'Bad shot na sa akin yan'
First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos aired her sentiments against Vice President Sara Duterte, who’s already a “bad shot” for her, and slammed critics of her husband President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Liza appeared on journalist Anthony Taberna's vlog, which aired early Friday, April 19. It marked the first time that she publicly spoke about issues involving Marcos and Duterte since they made the headlines in January amid a supposed rift between their families.
On ‘bangag’ remarks vs. Marcos
Liza said she got hurt when Duterte allegedly laughed at Marcos being called “bangag” or high on drugs during a prayer rally in Davao City in January. (It's unclear whether Duterte laughed as she was not seen at the event's official livestream on Facebook during that time.)
During the event that coincided with Marcos’ “Bagong Pilipinas” rally in Manila, former president Rodrigo Duterte accused his successor of being on the drug watchlist. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has debunked the allegation, while Rodrigo retracted his claim a month later.
“For me, nasaktan ako because my husband will do everything to protect you,” Liza said of Duterte, noting that the Marcoses and Dutertes joined forces under the UniTeam banner during the 2022 polls. “You ran together, 'di ba? Sama-sama tayong babangon muli.”
“Pupunta ka sa rally, tatawagin ‘yung presidente mong ‘bangag’… tama ba ‘yan?” she added. “Even Leni [Robredo] never did that.”
Robredo, the former vice president, was Marcos’ fiercest rival during the presidential elections.
On reconciling with Duterte
Liza said she was “always kind” to Duterte, especially since she’s the running mate of her husband. But with what Duterte did, Liza admitted to ignoring the vice president whenever they’re in the same event ever since.
“Mali 'yan, e. You crossed the line. I’m many things but I am not a hypocrite," she said.
Liza also threw shade at Duterte by borrowing the term “bangag” during her conversations with other people. "Somebody went to me and said, 'Uy, ang ganda ma today.' 'Hindi, mukha akong bangag,'" she said. "Bangag is the word of the day. Talagang no reaction."
As to whether there’s a chance for reconciliation, Liza said Duterte’s already a “bad shot.”
“Unless she says sorry or whatever, or maybe she will,” she continued.
On her sister-in-law Imee Marcos
During the interview, Liza was also asked about her opinion on whether Sen. Imee Marcos, her sister-in-law, should defend the President from Duterte’s attacks. “Maybe, you should ask her (Imee),” she told Taberna. “I am just the outlaw. I know what line not to cross.”
Imee previously said that she’s a supporter of Duterte, and will remain so “even if I am the only one left.”
Liza also dismissed claims that she isn’t inviting Imee during gatherings.
She recalled her mother-in-law, former first lady Imelda Marcos, making such a remark, to which she replied, “Mom, ako pa? May group chat kami. Lahat sila nandiyan.”
“She’s always invited,” she added.
Liza said she last spoke with Imee on Christmas last year.
On Sass Sasot, Glenn Chong
Liza also name-dropped Glenn Chong, former representative of the Lone District of Biliran, for accusing Marcos of rigging the elections.
“Nandoon siya noong counting. He was part of our election team. So why do you wait one year to say we cheated?” she said, noting that Chong was present in every meeting. She wished him well on his future electoral campaigns.
Chong recently made headlines for threatening to “slap” Liza during a prayer rally for controversial church leader Apollo Quiboloy.
Liza, who’s also a lawyer, also mentioned how blogger Sass Rogando Sasot, a former critic, approached her firm upon getting sued for cyberlibel alongside RJ Nieto a.k.a. Thinking Pinoy.
She noted that she worked on the case for three years pro bono.
"Something happened. We went to court, she made a deal with the other side and took RJ [Nieto] away,” Liza said. “Sabi ko, 'Teka muna, medyo makapal 'yan. Pro bono, three years, tapos you'll fire our law firm.’”
“If you're happy that way, there's such a thing as karma. I'm sure after 1,500 days you'll stop talking about me,” she added.
On critics
Liza also addressed her husband and their family's critics, saying their “stupid” remarks don’t affect them. "I will never stoop [down] to that level. I will never stoop [down] to that,” she said.
For the First Lady, critics become “uglier and uglier” when they tell “lies” about the Marcoses. “Bring it on. There’s such a thing as karma."
While she said she doesn’t get agitated with criticisms, it’s a different matter altogether when her children are already involved. "I get pikon when they hurt my sons," she added.
Liza, however, said she has no plans of filing cases against their critics.