Manila: Malaca±ang on Tuesday said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is focused on addressing the nation’s issues and slammed the ‘noise’ of resignation calls being hurled against him. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro pointed out that there are ‘propagandists and destabilizers’ attempting to divert attention from the flood control issue by linking it to personalities involved in the corruption scandal.
According to Philippines News Agency, the official posited that those involved in the anomaly are the ones bound to benefit should the President step down. ‘Kapag nawala ang Pangulo sa puwesto, malamang, muli magiging maligaya ang mga nasasabing sangkot dahil ang susunod na liderato ipagpapatuloy kaya itong paninindigan ng Pangulo na sawatain, puksain ang kurapsyon? (If the President steps down, for sure, those involved in the scandal would be elated because can the next leadership continue his fight against corruption?)’ she said in a Palace briefing.
Some groups, including supporters of the Duterte family, had called for the ouster of the Chief Executive during a rally held at the Liwasang Bonifacio on Sunday. In a comment, Castro said resignation is ‘not an option’ for the Marcos administration. ‘The President is still working and keeps on working for the country. Hindi po option sa administrasyon, sa Pangulo ang pagbibitiw. Ang Pangulo ay matapang na haharapin ang suliranin ng bansa at silang mga nag-iingay ay ingay lamang (Resignation is not an option for the President. The President will face all the challenges confronting the country head on, those who are making noise are simply noise),’ she added.
Ahead of a series of demonstrations in different parts of Metro Manila over the weekend, former Rep. Zaldy Co accused Marcos of receiving kickbacks in insertions for public works budget. Malaca±ang denied this as baseless and repeated calls for his return to prove the allegation under oath.
