A brewing political storm took a dramatic turn Monday when President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. publicly vowed to thwart “criminal attempts” in response to incendiary remarks by Vice President Sara Duterte.
The Vice President had controversially claimed she would have Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez killed if she herself were assassinated.
In a somber video statement, Marcos expressed alarm over what he called a dangerous narrative. “Kung ganun na lang kadali ang pagplano sa pagpatay ng isang Presidente, papaano pa kaya ang mga pangkaraniwang mamamayan?” Marcos asked, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Without directly naming Duterte, Marcos condemned what he described as reckless and criminal statements, declaring, “Yang ganyang kriminal na pagtatangka ay hindi dapat pinapalampas. ‘Yan ay aking papalagan.”
‘Kuwentong Chicheria’ and Budget Scandals
Marcos also took aim at the Vice President’s recent responses to allegations surrounding the questionable use of confidential funds during her tenure at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd). “Ang katotohanan ay hindi dapat i-tokhang,” Marcos said, urging government officials to adhere to their oaths of honesty and accountability.
He derided Duterte’s comments as distractions, comparing them to “kuwentong chicheria,” a term that drew attention to “Mary Grace Piattos,” a signature appearing in receipts linked to the controversial funds.
These remarks come as a House panel intensifies its probe into the alleged misuse of budgets under Duterte’s leadership, sparking fiery exchanges between her and administration allies.
Rising Political Tensions
The 2022 election partners—Marcos and Duterte—have seen their relationship sour over time. Duterte resigned from her post as DepEd Secretary earlier this year and has since become one of the administration’s loudest critics.
During her online press conference, held amid the detention of her OVP Chief of Staff Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, Duterte clarified her explosive statement was not a threat. Instead, she claimed it was intended to highlight alleged threats to her security.
However, the damage was done. Marcos described her words as “nakakabahala” and vowed to focus on governance and the rule of law. “Sa kabila ng mga pambabatikos, nakatuon ang aking pansin sa pamamahala. Ngunit hindi natin iko-kompromiso ang Rule of Law,” he said, adding that political infighting would not derail his administration.
Respect for Congress and Rule of Law
Marcos emphasized his respect for Congress and its investigative powers, calling for accountability across all branches of government. “Batid ko ang kapangyarihan iginawad sa kanila ng taumbayan at ng ating Konstitusyon. Dahil dito, iginagalang ko ang kanilang gawain,” he said.
While political tensions escalate, the National Security Council issued a stern reminder that all threats against the President are taken seriously. “This is a matter of national security,” the Council said in a statement Sunday.
As the political drama unfolds, the public is left grappling with the growing chasm between two of the nation’s most prominent leaders.
The stakes are high, with the rule of law, government accountability, and national stability hanging in the balance.