PBBM VOWS TO FIGHT OFF VP’S THREATS: ‘YAN AY AKING PAPALAGAN’

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vowed on Monday to stand firmly against the death threats of Vice President Sara Duterte against his wife, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“Yan ay aking papalagan,” the President said.

In a video message, Duterte claimed she hired an assassin to kill President Marcos, the First Lady and the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the event that she is killed.

The President said Duterte should be made accountable for her statements. Any assassination attempt against the President also raises concerns about the security of the nation and its citizens, he said.

Such criminal attempts should never be overlooked, the President added.

“Kung ganun na lang kadali ang pagplano sa pagpatay ng isang Presidente, papaano pa kaya ang mga karaniwan na mamayan? ‘Yang ganyang criminal na pagtatangka ay hindi dapat pinapalampas,” he said.

He stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law to protect the country and the Constitution.

“As a democratic country, we need to uphold the rule of law. Ako, bilang pinuno ng Executive Department, at lahat ng mga nanunungkulan sa pamahalaan, ay may sinumpaang tungkulin na tutupdin at pangangalagaan ang Konstitusyon at ang ating mga batas,” he said.

The President also cited the importance of seeking and speaking the truth. “Kaya hindi tama ang pagpipigil 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,” he said.

“Ang katotohanan ay hindi dapat i-tokhang,” the President said, referring to the infamous brand of the previous administration’s drug war.”