Duterte says row involving daughter ‘insignificant’; shrugs off calls for ‘people power’

MANILA — Former president Rodrigo Duterte believes the current controversy involving his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, and the Office of the Vice President, is not big enough to warrant a mass movement from their supporters.

According to Duterte, the issue is “insignificant”, and should not be seen as a reason for them to do anything against the government.

“Wala pa naman tayong natanong, pero maliit na bagay ‘yan masyado para mag-ano tayo…Sabihin mong mag-ano ng gulo, hindi, ‘wag. Alam mo dumaan ako sa pagka-presidente,” he told reporters in Davao City Monday night.

“Kay Inday, wala ‘yun. Kaya niya ‘yun. Insignificant masyado. Kahit kasuhan nila si Inday, hindi naman makulong ‘yan,” he added.

According to the elder Duterte, he is more concerned with the case of OVP Chief of Staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez, who he said might have suffered from a serious illness.

When told about calls on social media for a “people power”, Duterte shrugged it off, reiterating that the issue is insignificant.

“Hindi, ‘wag. Alam mo, not for anybody, not for anything else, masasabi kong insignificant ‘yang nangyari kay Lopez at kay Inday,” he said.

“Alam naman niyang hindi namin kaya ‘yan,” Duterte added, referring to National Security Council’s statement that it is “closely coordinating” with law enforcement agencies to look into the threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

The NSC did not name Duterte in its statement.

Supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte on Sunday criticized the government during their gathering in front of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, where her chief of staff is  recovering. 

Lopez was brought to VMMC after falling ill on Friday.