No communication with Duterte since resignation - Marcos

Metro Manila, Philippines— President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said communication lines have been silent between him and Vice President Sara Duterte since she quit the Cabinet.

“No, not at all. Not at all. The last time I spoke to her was when she handed me her resignation. We haven't spoken since,” said Marcos in response to questions from reporters.

The president also responded to Duterte’s apology to Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) members for urging them to vote for Marcos in the 2022 elections. The KOJC is the group of fugitive religious leader Apollo Quiboloy.

“That’s her prerogative. I still don’t understand why, but that is her... It is her wish. Wala tayong magagawa (We can’t do anything),” said Marcos.

Duterte resigned as education secretary on July 19, and was replaced by former Senator Sonny Angara.

Earlier this month, Duterte criticized the country's leadership and urged the public to demand better governance.

“We are extremely tired of seeing our country being left behind, treated as if it has no value, unappealing, and submissive to other nations. We Filipinos deserve more than what we are hearing and seeing from the government right now. We Filipinos deserve better,” she said.

The vice president also criticized the withdrawal of her security detail and the publication of her travel photos to Germany at the height of Typhoon Carina in August.