By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., on Monday, vowed to uphold the rule of law following the tirades of Vice President Sara Duterte against him, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Duterte said in a virtual press conference that she hired an assassin to kill the President, the First Lady, and Romualdez in the event that she gets killed.

“’Yang ganyang pagtatangka ay hindi dapat pinapalampas. ‘Yan ay aking papalagan. As a democratic country, we need to uphold the rule of law,” President Marcos said in a video message.

Amid the challenges the country is facing, President Marcos said he won’t compromise the rule of law which should be applied to everyone, while also promising not to let dirty politicking drag the country down.

“Igalang natin ang proseso. Tuparin natin ang batas. Alalahanin natin ang mandato na pinagkatiwala sa atin ng milyong-milyon na Pilipino,” the President said.

“Magtrabaho po tayo sa ikauunlad ng Republika ng Pilipinas at para matamo ang Bagong Pilipinas.” he added.

Likewise, the Chief Executive reminded government officials of their duty to protect the country and the Constitution, stressing elected officials should not suppress the quest for truth.

“Kaya hindi tama ang pagpigil sa mga halal ng bayan sa paghahanap ng katotohanan. Hindi na sana hahantong sa ganitong drama  kung sasagutin lamang ang mga lehitimong katanungan sa Senado at sa House of Representatives,” the President said in a video message.

“Tapos na sana ang usapang ito kung tutuparin lamang ang sinumpaang  panata na bilang lingkod bayan ay magsabi ng totoo, at hindi hahadlangan,” the President said, underscoring the important role of Congress as an independent branch of government.

‘Tokhang’ must not silence truth

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. remarked that the quest for truth must not be suppressed.

“Ang katotohanan ay hindi dapat i-tokhang. Tapos na sana ang usapang ito kung tutuparin lamang ang sinumpaang panata na bilang lingkod-bayan ay magsabi ng totoo, at hindi hahadlangan,” the President said in referring to the infamous brand of the previous administration’s drug war.

In the midst of the challenges the country is facing, President Marcos said he remains focused on governing. He also promised not to compromise the rule of law, which must be applied to everyone.

“Kaya hindi ko hahayaan magtagumpay ang hangarin ng iba na hatakin ang buong bansa sa burak ng pulitika,” the President said.

“Igalang natin ang proseso. Tuparin natin ang batas. Alalahanin natin ang mandato na pinagkatiwala sa atin ng milyong-milyon na Pilipino. Magtrabaho po tayo sa ikauunlad ng Republika ng Pilipinas at para matamo ang Bagong Pilipinas.”

-avds