Sara says she has become ‘emotionally numb’

MANILA, Philippines — Developments in her political career since last year have made her “emotionally numb,” Vice President Sara Duterte said yesterday.

“Wala na. Manhid na. Namanhid na ako simula (No more. I’ve turned numb since) last year,” Duterte, also the education secretary, said during a guesting in Sen. Imee Marcos’ OnePH program “At the Moment with Imee.”

Asked by Marcos if she had felt the same way before last year, Duterte said she was “normal” then.

Pressed on what developments made her indifferent, she said, “My life is public. Try to revisit the developments.”

Last year, politicians and experts started to pinpoint cracks in Duterte’s alliance with President Marcos, made more apparent by the trading of barbs between former president Rodrigo Duterte and the House of Representatives, led by Marcos’ cousin Speaker Martin Romualdez.

This was after the chamber, whose mandate includes the power of the purse, realigned the confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.

The P650-million combined confidential and intelligence funds of the two offices headed by the younger Duterte have been transferred to agencies handling national security concerns, primarily on the West Philippine Sea.

Since then, her relations with the Marcos family, save for the President and Imee – at least publicly – appear to have soured.

First Lady Liza Marcos admitted to having “intentionally” been giving Duterte the cold shoulder during public appearances since earlier this year, citing the Vice President’s apparent lack of outrage whenever her father would publicly malign the Chief Executive.

Politicians aligned with Romualdez have also called for Duterte’s resignation as DepEd secretary.

While she did not name names, Duterte said these developments “killed my feelings.”

The senator, in response, wished her well.

“May the good Lord protect you from those who wish you ill because you are a kind person and you have so much potential,” the senator said.