President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. slammed Vice President Sara Duterte's recent statement, in which she allegedly hired someone to kill him, First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, stressing the need to uphold the rule of law.
President Marcos expressed concern over the alarming statements recently made, including the reckless blow of profanity and threats of planned assassinations.
Marcos pointed out that if plotting to kill a President is this simple, how much more so for ordinary citizens.
"Iyang ganyang kriminal na pagtatangka ay hindi dapat pinapalampas. Iyan ay aking papalagan," Marcos said in a video message on Monday.
"As a democratic country, we need to uphold the rule of law," he added.
The Chief Executive reiterated that he and other public servants are bound by their oath to preserve and protect the Constitution and the laws, emphasizing that it is wrong to prevent the people from seeking the truth.
He further stated that the situation would not have escalated into "drama" if only the legitimate questions raised by the Senate and the House of Representatives during their hearings were properly addressed.
"Ang katotohanan ay hindi dapat i-tokhang," Marcos firmly said.
According to the President, the issue would have been resolved if the sworn oath to serve the public with honesty had been fulfilled, and if there had been no obstruction to the truth.
"Imbes na derechahang sagot, nililihis pa sa kwentong chicheria," said Marcos.
Marcos expressed his desire for the current situation to be resolved peacefully and in a manner that brings everyone to the truth.
He further mentioned that he served for 12 years in both Congress and the Senate, and as such, he is fully aware of the power entrusted to them by the people and the Constitution.
"Dahil dito, iginagalang ko ang kanilang gawain bilang isang independenteng sangay ng ating republika," Marcos mentioned.
"Kahit ang buong executive branch, lahat ng mga ahensya, ay hindi nakakaligtas at parating sumasailalim sa kanilang masusing pagsusuri," he added.
According to Marcos, as a country, the Philippines still faces numerous challenges that must be addressed and problems that require solutions.
In the face of criticism, he maintained that his priority is to lead the country, but stressed that he will never compromise the rule of law. The law must always take precedence, no matter the consequences for anyone involved.
He expressed that he would not let anyone succeed in pulling the whole country into the "mud of politics."
"Igalang natin ang proseso. Tuparin natin ang batas. Alalahanin natin ang mandato na pinagkatiwala sa atin ng milyong-milyon na Pilipino," said Marcos.
"Magtrabaho po tayo sa ikauunlad ng Republika ng Pilipinas at para matamo ang Bagong Pilipinas," he added.
Duterte made the remark during a press briefing on Friday night, stating that she had arranged for someone to kill President Marcos Jr., House Speaker Romualdez, and the First Lady if an alleged plot against her succeeded.
The Presidential Communications Office announced on Saturday that Duterte's remarks constituted an "active threat" to the President's life. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin referred the matter to the Presidential Security Command for "immediate and proper action."
