As Philippines’ vice-president Sara Duterte fires back at first lady Liza Marcos, will family tensions soar further?

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte has countered first lady Liza Araneta Marcos’ claims of “feeling hurt” by the former, saying such emotions were unrelated to her mandate as a government official.

A feud between the women erupted last week after Liza Marcos rebuked Sara Duterte for appearing to laugh at an insult her father hurled at the president during a rally in March.

In a video posted on her social media platforms, Sara Duterte opened up about the saga that has captured the attention of the public.

“It is first lady Liza Marcos’s right to feel angry and frustrated, but her personal feelings are not related to my mandate as a government official,” she said on Monday.

“The prices of food and other goods continue to rise. These further add difficulties to the hunger and poverty experienced by our fellowmen,” she said.

Analysts say the latest salvo in an ongoing war of words between the political families could further sour relations ahead of next year’s midterm elections seen as key to cementing influence for either camp before the 2028 presidential race, and shows the first lady’s role in politicking behind the scenes for Marcos Jnr.

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What’s behind the apparent feud between the Marcos, Duterte clans in the Philippines?

The first lady said she snubbed the vice-president because she had “crossed the line”.

“You are getting your wages from the government, you are supposed to be the alter ego,” she said in an interview last week.

“Even Leni [Robredo] never did that,” she said, referring to the former vice-president, then widely seen as an opposition figure and Marcos Jnr’s rival in the 2022 presidential election.

Political analyst Michael Yusingco told ABS-CBN News that Sara Duterte’s remark could add more fuel to the