MESSAGE TO THE NATION President Marcos, in a televised message on Monday, addresses the loss of life threats made in opposition to him by Vice President Sara Duterte, reaffirming his dedication to upholding the rule of legislation and guaranteeing the protection and safety of all Filipinos. —Screengrab from the Presidential Communications Workplace Fb web page
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, lashed again at Vice President Sara Duterte’s newest rant, which he described as a diversionary tactic to stifle Congress’ seek for reality on her workplace’s use of confidential funds.
This time the President didn’t let Vice President Duterte’s rant cross in contrast to the latter’s previous tirades.
The President, stated, in a video assertion, he wouldn’t tolerate such “legal threats” in opposition to him.
“As the pinnacle of the chief division, in addition to all different public servants, I’ve a sworn responsibility to uphold the Structure and the legal guidelines. As a democratic nation, we have to uphold the rule of legislation,” he stated.
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“It’s not proper to stifle elected leaders’ seek for the reality. It shouldn’t be subjected to ‘tokhang,’” the President stated in Filipino, referencing the deaths of 1000’s of drug suspects in the course of the antidrug technique employed by the earlier administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President’s father.
The President issued the assertion in response to the remarks made by the youthful Duterte in a live-streamed video convention within the wee hours of Saturday, with primarily Duterte diehard supporters (DDS) as her viewers.
“Don’t fear about my safety as a result of I’ve already contracted a person, and advised him/her that if I’m killed, you must also kill BBM (President Marcos), (first girl) Liza Araneta and (Speaker) Martin Romualdez. No joke. No joke,” she stated in a mixture of English and Filipino, responding to a query from a DDS viewer.
“I’ve given directions that if I die, don’t cease till you kill (the three personalities), after which he stated ‘sure,’” she added.
Rule of legislation
The President referred to Duterte’s pronouncements as “troubling,” citing how these have been “laden with brazen expletives coupled with a menace to kill a few of us.”
“If that’s how simply they’ll make plots to kill a President, how in regards to the peculiar residents?”
“As a democratic nation, we have to uphold the rule of legislation,” Marcos famous.
The President additionally defended the congressional investigations that zeroed in on Duterte’s use of confidential funds below the Workplace of the Vice President (OVP) and the Division of Training (DepEd) throughout her tenure as secretary.
“For 12 years, I’ve been a legislator in each the decrease and higher chambers of Congress; I acknowledge the mandate given to them by the citizenry and our Structure,” he stated. “As such, I respect their responsibility as an unbiased department of our republic.”
He stated all companies of presidency, together with these within the government department, can not escape the oversight energy of Congress to scrutinize the usage of public funds.
Diversionary tactic
“This matter shouldn’t have ended up with all this drama if solely questions raised by the Senate and Home of Representatives have been amply answered,” Marcos stated, however with out making direct reference to Duterte.
The problem would have been resolved had public officers lived as much as their sworn responsibility of stating and never suppressing the reality, the President stated.
“However as an alternative of giving direct solutions, the problem is being diverted towards ‘kwentong chicheria’ (nonsensical tales),” referring to the findings by the Fee on Audit that the OVP had signed doubtful names corresponding to “Mary Grace Piattos,” supposedly patterned after a well-liked restaurant and a chips and snacks model.
Marcos stated he was unperturbed by all of the criticisms hurled at his administration.
“Regardless of all of the criticisms, I stay targeted on governance. However we can not compromise the rule of legislation, which ought to prevail below no matter circumstances and whoever will get stung by it,” he identified.
“I cannot permit others to reach dragging the whole nation into the mud pit of politics,” the President added.
Combating again
Duterte has since backtracked from her earlier statements, saying in an open letter launched on Monday that her remarks in regards to the assassination plot on the President have been “maliciously taken out of logical context.”
In a chat with reporters on the Home of Representatives additionally on Monday, Duterte was additionally unfazed, promising to get payback for regardless of the Marcos administration did to her.
Responding to the video message of the President, Duterte even recalled the assassination of former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. in 1983 in the course of the regime of the President’s father, which she alleged was plotted by the Marcos household.
She stated she had but to see the whole assertion of Marcos, however stated, “I may also struggle again for what they’re doing to me now,” referring to the continuing Home investigations.
Duterte was on the Batasang Pambansa on Monday to affix her workers summoned by the Home panel, the place she lastly took oath, a transfer that she nonetheless argued was “unconstitutional.”
In the course of the listening to, Duterte made it appear as if the whole decrease chamber was in opposition to her and the OVP.
“We don’t belief anybody anymore on this nation,” Duterte stated, in response to queries if she has plans to take up her considerations on the Supreme Court docket.
“We don’t count on justice anymore on this nation. That is clear political harassment. That is clear political persecution. With regards to threats in opposition to them, it’s a matter of nationwide safety, however in relation to us, it’s as if it’s nothing,” she burdened.
The Presidential Safety Command (PSC) isn’t taking Duterte’s statements evenly, saying on Monday it was doubling the safety element of the President and would undertake tighter measures throughout his public appearances.
Maj. Nestor Endozo, PSC civil navy operations officer, stated the PSC was searching for augmentation from the Philippine Nationwide Police.
“The instruction of doubling the safety of the President is an offshoot of the present scenario, of what was talked about by (Vice President Duterte),” he stated.
He stated the PSC was awaiting directions about proposals to place in place extra safety in the course of the President’s public appearances, together with making him use a bulletproof protect on the rostrum throughout speeches or letting him put on a protecting vest.
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of workers Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. additionally reminded troopers to not be rattled by the “myriad of occasions that transpired in our nation” and keep skilled amid a widening rift between the President and the Vice President.
“As troopers, we shouldn’t be shaken by this,” he stated in a speech in the course of the flag-raising ceremony that coincided with the 18-Day Marketing campaign to Finish Violence In opposition to Ladies 2024 kickoff occasion at Camp Aguinaldo on Monday.
Brawner advised the troops to observe the chain of command and to remain “skilled and competent.” —with a report from Frances Mangosing
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