President Marcos after VP Duterte's criticisms: 'What can I do? You cannot force anyone to love you'

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he has no response to Vice President Sara Duterte’s accusations against him, suggesting her attacks may be driven by anger over the legal troubles she is facing.

In a media briefing on Sunday following his attendance at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, Marcos was asked about Duterte’s statements, including her claim of an alleged plan against her.

The President said he simply hears about the accusations but does not feel compelled to respond.

“You know, I hear about them, but I don't really even have a response. If she feels very angry, I suppose, with what's happening to her. And I am the target of that anger, or the main target of that anger. What can I do?” Marcos said.

“You cannot force anyone to love you,” he added.

The exchange came amid continuing political and legal tensions between Marcos and Duterte, who is facing a criminal case before a Quezon City court for grave threats against the First Couple and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The President and Vice President, who ran and won convincingly under a unity platform in the 2022 elections, have since become political rivals, with Duterte also facing impeachment proceedings.

Duterte recently accused Marcos of plotting against her, including an alleged plan involving former President Rodrigo Duterte and threats to her own safety.

Malacañang rejected the allegations as unsupported by evidence.

-Phiilippine News Agency