Bongbong Marcos Will Not Step Down Palace Makes Position Clear
BONGBONG MARCOS – Malacañang has rejected speculation that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. could step down from office, saying he remains committed to performing his duties as the country’s leader.
Palace press officer Claire Castro made the statement after the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte said she would be prepared to assume the presidency should Marcos resign. “First of all, no one is going to resign,” Palace press officer Claire Castro told GMA News.
Castro was addressing remarks made by Duterte’s spokesperson, Paolo Panelo, who defended the Vice President against accusations that her call for Marcos to leave office was motivated by personal political interests.
“That’s just their wish, because the President is fulfilling his duties and working for the country, the nation and the people. So, if they wish for the President to resign, I’m sorry,” Castro said.
The Palace official also dismissed allegations from the Duterte camp that the administration was exerting influence over senators, police officials and other government personnel in relation to the Vice President’s impeachment case.
According to Castro, government offices and agencies are merely performing the responsibilities assigned to them under their respective mandates.
Panelo, meanwhile, argued that Duterte’s position as Vice President makes her constitutionally positioned to succeed Marcos if the President leaves office.
He said Duterte was elected as Vice President “so, she was actually the one the people voted for to replace the President if he would resign. So, I don’t think this is self-serving or, as some might say, a conflict of interest.”
“Because for her and for many Filipinos, it’s not really good for the country for the President to remain in office,” he said.
Duterte has already announced her intention to seek the presidency in the 2028 elections.
The Vice President has previously criticized Marcos and described him as the “problem of the nation,” while accusing his administration of corruption, abuse and political harassment amid legal cases involving her and members of her family.
At a recent rally at Quezon City Hall, Duterte urged her supporters to continue calling for Marcos to leave the presidency.
“Let’s continue the clamor for our nation’s problem to leave, whose name is Bongbong Marcos. Resign! Leave!” Duterte told her supporters at a recent rally at Quezon City Hall.
Marcos later responded to Duterte’s criticisms during an interview in New Delhi, India, following his attendance at the 18th BRICS Summit.
“If she feels very angry, I suppose, with what’s happening to her, and I am the target of that anger, or the main target of that anger, what can I do? You cannot force anyone to love you,” the President said.
READ ALSO: Bongbong Marcos On Sara Duterte’s Recent Tirade: “You cannot force anyone to love you”
