Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa remains skeptical of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s offer of reconciliation, pointing to the deep wounds allegedly inflicted by the administration on the Duterte family.
In a phone interview with Senate media, Dela Rosa said that while the Marcos’ offer is a good gesture, the sincerity behind it remains ‘questionable.’
Dela Rosa emphasized that true reconciliation requires actions, not just words.
According to the report of RH Raymund Dadpaas, the senator revealed he has personal reasons for doubting the offer, claiming that Marcos once promised not to allow the International Criminal Court (ICC) into the country.
However, Dela Rosa lamented that the administration has now permitted legal proceedings to move forward, including the controversial arrest and transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague, Netherlands.
This alleged move has further strained relations between the Marcos administration and the Dutertes, following previous political tensions.
Dela Rosa also cited the impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, which are currently pending in the Senate, as another example of the ongoing political rift.
The statement comes in response to Marcos' remarks during a podcast interview with veteran broadcaster Anthony Taberna about being open to reconciling with former allies, including the Dutertes, emphasizing the importance of peace and unity in achieving national goals.
The Marcos-Duterte tandem rose to prominence during the 2022 national elections under the "Uniteam" banner, where Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. successfully ran for president, succeeding Rodrigo Duterte, while Sara Duterte, the former president’s daughter, served as his running mate and won the vice presidency.
