MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday lauded Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio's diligence and love for the country as he greeted her on her 46th birthday.

In a Facebook post, Marcos expressed hope that Duterte-Carpio would continue working for a stronger education system.

"Happy Birthday, Inday Sara! Your diligence and love for the country has strengthened our youth and teachers," the President said.

"Let us continue this for a resilient education system under the Bagong Pilipinas!" he added.

Duterte-Carpio, who turned 46 on Friday, is the country's caretaker, together with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella 3rd, while the President is out of the country.

Marcos is in Singapore for his keynote address at the 21st edition of the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Duterte-Carpio, who leads the Department of Education (DepEd), was Marcos' running mate in the 2022 national elections.

Marcos said he did not see any reason to replace Duterte-Carpio as DepEd chief, despite his wife's recent admission in an interview that she now viewed the vice president negatively.

First Lady Marie Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos said for all the President's kindness to her, Duterte-Carpio supposedly "crossed the line.

The first lady said she was hurt when she saw Duterte-Carpio laughing while her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, was calling the Chief Executive bangag or high on drugs, in a speech at a rally in Davao City.

But the President said that while he understood the views of his wife, it would not affect his working relationship with Duterte.

"First of all, my first reaction is, 'what a lucky husband I am' that I have a wife who is very protective of me," the President said in an interview.

"It will not affect our working relationship with the Vice President... I think that she also, as a wife, understands how the first lady feels," he added.

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