PBBM calls for ‘unity’ amid mass rallies, warns of gov’t ‘destabilizers’

Malacañang Palace on Sep. 20 reiterated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statements that he “feels” the public clamor over anomalies in “ghost” flood control projects and budget insertions, while urging unity to end corruption in government.

“Naririnig at nararamdaman ng Pangulo ang pagkadismaya ng taumbayan at iyon ay kanyang nararamdaman rin,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a statement. “Nais din ng Pangulo na ang taumbayan ay makipagtulungan sa gobyerno para matigil na ang [pang-aabuso] na ito.”

Castro also said the President respects the people’s right to free speech and assembly, provided they abide by the law.

“Si Pangulong Marcos Jr. ay palaging rerespeto sa karapatang pantao. Malaya silang ihayag ang damdamin nila nang hindi naman lalabag sa mga probisyon ng batas,” she said.

Castro also warned protesters to be vigilant against groups that may “destabilize the government” and exploit the rallies for “personal interests.”

“Maging mapanuri lamang at maging mapagmatyag dahil baka gamitin ang lehitimong layunin na ito ng mga tao na ang nais lamang ay manira ng gobyerno at iangat ang personal na interest nila,” Castro stressed.

The anti-corruption rallies across Metro Manila were set for Sep. 21, coinciding with the 53rd anniversary of the 1972 martial law declaration by Marcos Jr.’s namesake and late father, dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

In Metro Manila, multi-sectoral groups organized the “Bahain ang Luneta” rally at Luneta Park, while the “Trillion Peso March,” led by religious groups, was set at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City, with similar protests expected across the country.

‘Marcos Jr. and rallyists as allies?’

On Sep. 16, the President also said he understood the public outrage over corruption and “would go out with them in the streets,” affirming their call for accountability.

“They are angry. I am angry. We should all be angry. Because what’s happening is not right. I want to show that there’s justice. I want to show that there is fairness … I want to hold these people accountable, just like they do … I don’t blame them. Not one bit,” Marcos Jr. said.

In a separate statement on Sep. 16, Castro said that Marcos Jr. was not afraid of people joining the street protests since “he knows they are his allies” in the fight against corruption.

Last week, Marcos Jr. launched an independent commission to investigate anomalies in “ghost” projects and budget misuse as part of his administration’s anti-corruption campaign.

‘Both Marcos Jr., Duterte at fault’

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), one of the groups leading the protests, stressed that their actions are not in support of Marcos Jr.’s supposed anti-corruption campaign but are meant to expose corruption under his presidency.

“The September 21 protest will be held not in support of his fake campaign against corruption but in response to the large-scale corruption under his presidency … and disastrous governance,” Bayan said in a Sep. 19 statement.

Bayan also accused the Dutertes of “hypocrisy,” saying their criticism of recent issues are a ploy to divert attention from corruption during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“The Duterte family is hypocritically condemning the flood control controversy under the present administration to downplay the widespread corruption during the Rodrigo Duterte presidency,” they added.