By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
“Ang Pangulo po ay hindi namumulitika, ang Pangulo po ay nagtatrabaho.”
As the administration works hard to soften the blow of rising fuel prices on Filipinos’ welfare and wallets, Malacañang said that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains focused on his work and is closely monitoring the local situation vis-à-vis developments in the Middle East.
In a briefing on Monday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that the President does not have time to entertain nuisance and tomfoolery in the political arena, reiterating the government’s top priorities during these difficult times.
This, in response to the launch of the Reform Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability (RAGE) Coalition by Duterte allies on Sunday, with Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte as its top brass.
Castro began by firing back at Duterte’s tirade about the government’s flood control probe, with the Davao lawmaker calling it a form of “self-destruction”.
“Self-distraction, ang pagpapaimbestiga sa maanomalyang flood control projects ay self-destruction para sa Pangulo? Parang kakaiba po yata ang kaniyang pananaw. Kaya ba hindi nagpaimbestiga ng malaliman ang nakaraang administrasyon dahil magiging self-destruction sa dating Pangulong Duterte?”
She went on to stress that President Marcos Jr. is not threatened by the possible repercussions of the comprehensive investigation on his administration, allies, friends, and relatives, noting that the President places public interest at the forefront of the government’s initiatives.
“Dahil ito po ay pondo ng bayan na dapat i-report sa bayan. Kung mayroong dapat managot, iyan ang nais ng Pangulo, dapat na managot; hindi dapat na tinatakpan, hindi kinakailangan na magkaroon ng cover-up.”
Malacañang’s mouthpiece went on to call out the alleged early campaigning of the Dutertes in a bid to earn public trust and secure votes ahead of the upcoming 2028 national elections, noting that such activities have no place in society as Filipinos continue to navigate these challenging circumstances.
She concluded her remarks by stating that the Chief Executive remains receptive to suggestions and recommendations from anyone, including members of the opposition.
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