PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed openness to reconciliation with the Duterte family.
During the maiden episode of the BBM Podcast, aired Monday, May 19, 2025, Marcos said he prefers friends and allies over enemies.
“Ako, ayaw ko ng gulo. Gusto ko makasundo sa lahat ng tao. Mas maganda. Marami na akong kaaway at hindi ko kailangan ng kaaway. Kailangan ko kaibigan,” he said.
(I don’t like trouble. I want to get along with everyone. That’s better. I already have many enemies, and I don’t need more. I need friends.)
Marcos emphasized his focus on peace and stability to ensure his administration can deliver public services.
“I’m always open to any approach na, halika, magtulungan tayo. ‘Di ba? Kahit na hindi tayo magkasundo sa polisiya. Hindi tayo magkasundo. Gawin mo ‘yung trabaho pero huwag na tayong nanggugulo,” he added.
(I am always open to any approach like, 'Come on, let’s help each other out.' Right? Even if we don’t agree on policy. We don’t agree. Do your job, but let’s not cause trouble anymore.)
The past year strained the relationship between Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, his former Uniteam partner. Duterte resigned as secretary of the Department of Education in July.
This came months after her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, tagged Marcos as “bangag” and “drug addict” as he lambasted the administration’s push for cha-cha through People’s Initiative which aims to amend the 1987 constitution, by paying the public in exchange of their signature.
After her resignation, VP Sara cited a “toxic” relationship with the President. She also faced a Congressional inquiry over alleged misuse of public funds.
The Vice President also revealed at one point that she contacted someone and asked that person to kill Marcos, his wife, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, if she is killed first.
In February, the House of Representatives moved to impeach the Vice President.
Tensions escalated further when VP Sara's father, former President Rodrigo, was arrested and turned over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands for alleged crimes against humanity during his drug war.
VP Sara labeled these events as political harassment by the administration.
Meanwhile, Marcos said that the result of the just concluded 2025 national and local elections showed that Filipinos are “tired of politics” and want more actions from their leaders.
He acknowledged public disappointment with slow government services.
“Una, nagsawa na ang Pilipino sa pulitika. Sawang-sawa na sa pulitika. Ang mensahe, sa amin lahat – hindi lamang sa akin, kung hindi sa aming lahat – tama na ‘yung pamumulitika ninyo at kami naman ang asikasuhin ninyo. Tama rin naman eh. Iyan naman talaga ang dapat nating ginagawa. Kaya mabuti, o tapos na ‘yung eleksyon, tama na ‘yung pulitika. Tama na ‘yung pulitika. Magtrabaho – gawin na natin lahat ng kailangang gawin,” Marcos said.
(First, the Filipino people are tired of politics. They're completely fed up with it. The message is for all of us – not just for me, but for all of us – stop the politicking and start focusing on us. And they’re right. That’s really what we should be doing. So it’s good – the election is over, so enough with the politics. Enough with the politics. Let’s work – let’s do everything that needs to be done.)
“Iyong pangalawa, disappointed ang tao sa serbisyo ng gobyerno. Hindi nila nararamdaman at masyadong mabagal ang galaw nang pagbubuo ng mga project na hindi pa nila maramdaman. Palagay ko ang nangyari diyan dahil noong bago akong upo, sabi ko ayokong mangyari na business as usual,” he added.
(Second, people are disappointed with the government’s service. They don’t feel it, and the progress of projects is too slow — they haven’t felt any impact yet. I think what happened there is that when I had just taken office, I said I didn’t want it to be business as usual.)
Of the 12 senatorial candidates endorsed by the administration, only six won: Erwin Tulfo, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Pia Cayetano, Camille Villar, and Lito Lapid.
Reelected Senator Imee Marcos, the President’s sister, was initially part of the administration slate but was later dropped following her initiative to look into the irregularities in the arrest of FPRRD.
Senator Marcos, along with Villar, was endorsed by VP Sara.
Duterte allies Bong Go, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, and Rodante Marcoleta were also elected.
Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Bam Aquino completed the 12 newly elected senators.
Marcos pledged his administration will continue to address the everyday challenges of Filipinos. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)