Call for political ceasefire sought as Duterte lashes out at Marcos anew

Metro Manila, Philippines – Sitting and former lawmakers have called for a political ceasefire and to de-escalate tensions between the country’s top two leaders, following fresh tirades of Vice President Sara Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In a statement, Senate President Chiz Escudero said Duterte’s statements are deeply concerning, especially coming from the second highest official of the country.

In a midnight briefing on Saturday, Nov. 23, Duterte said she ordered someone to kill Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she gets murdered. Malacañang called these remarks an active threat to the president’s life.

“I urge those who are close to her—those who truly care about her as a person and as a leader—to advise her to refrain from making these indecorous and possibly criminal statements in public. These do not benefit the Vice President, her office, or our country,” said Escudero.

“Everyone has the right to feel anger and frustration, which often result in painful and hurtful language. Civil servants such as ourselves, however, do not have that luxury, as our Code of Conduct requires all public officials and employees to “perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill,” he added.

In a press release, ex-Sen. Ping Lacson said he feels sad that the two leaders and their supporters are engaged in a continuous word war.

Lacson is running for Senator as an independent candidate. He, however, is a guest candidate of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) - which is part of the administration’s five-party coalition ‘Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas’ (Alliance for the New Philippines).

“Kung hindi man magkasundo, magkaroon muna ng 'tigil putukan.' Mas marami tayong problemang hinaharap,” he said in a press release.

[Translation: If they cannot reach an agreement, at least have a ceasefire so we can address the country's problems instead of having a word war]

Meanwhile, known Duterte ally Sen. Bato dela Rosa said what happened to the VP and her chief of staff Zuleika Lopez at the House of Representatives was unfortunate.

On Friday, Nov. 22, the lower chamber had ordered the transfer of Lopez from the House facility to the women’s prison in Mandaluyong City - which did not push through after Lopez was hospitalized due to a number of medical reasons.

“Hindi pa na-file-an ng kaso, kung i-treat mo parang konbiktado na dadalhin mo sa Women’s Correctional? Women’s Correctional facility is a place for convicted criminals,” said Dela Rosa.

[Nothing has been filed against her yet you treat her as a convict and bring her to the. Women’s Correctional facility which is a place for convicted criminals]

It is not the first time that House members decided to send a person cited in contempt to the women’s prison. In September, the lower house also ordered the transfer of Cassandra Ong - the representative of offshore gaming operator Lucky South 99, from the House detention to the correctional facility.