President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. broke his silence and retaliated against the death threat made by Vice President Sara Duterte, saying such criminal threat is concerning and should not be ignored.
In a two-minute video message on Monday, Nov. 25, Marcos made a lengthy statement following the death threat and tirades issued by Duterte over the weekend. He said he will not let it pass without fighting back.
“Nakakabahala ang mga pahayag na narinig natin nitong mga nakaraang araw. Nandiyan ang walang pakundangang pagmumura at ang pagbabanta ng planong ipapatay ang ilan sa atin,” Marcos lamented.
“Kung ganun na lang kadali ang pagplano sa pagpatay ng isang Presidente, papaano pa kaya ang mga pangkaraniwan na mamamayan? Yang ganyang krimimal na pagtatangka ay hindi dapat pinapalampas,” Marcos further said.
“‘Yan ay aking papalagan,” he added.
The President stressed that as a democratic country, the rule of law needs to be upheld.
Taking a swipe at the previous administration’s war on drugs operational plan “tokhang,” Marcos said the truth should not be silenced.
He voiced his sentiments on the events leading to the statement made by the Vice President, which, he said, could have been prevented if only she answered to the Senate and House of Representatives inquiries.
“Ang katotohanan ay hindi dapat i-tokhang,” Marcos said.
“Tapos na sana ang usapang ito kung tutuparin lamang ang sinumpaang panata na bilang lingkod bayan ay magsabi ng totoo, at hindi hahadlangan. Imbes na deretsahang sagot, nililihis pa sa kwentong sitsirya,” Marcos stressed.
The President said he hopes this would be resolved in a peaceful and truthful manner.
He also recognized the power the Congress holds under the constitution, saying he respects their authority and highlighting that even the executive branch and all agencies are not exempted from scrutiny.
“Igalang natin ang proseso. Tuparin natin ang batas. Alalahanin natin ang mandato na pinagkatiwala sa atin ng milyong-milyon na Pilipino,” he said. (Betheena Unite)
