Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent threats and verbal attacks against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and his family endanger not only the safety of government officials but also the peace and security of the entire Filipino nation, the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) said.
The LCP, in its statement signed by its president, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and national chairman, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, said they categorically condemn any conduct or actions that threaten the stability of the duly constituted government.
“The recent outburst by Duterte is both unbecoming of her office and reckless. Any suggestion or statement that the Vice President would be harmed and the heinous instruction of retaliation to, in turn, harm the President, the First Lady, the Speaker of the House, or any key government official is deeply irresponsible and a grave threat to our democracy and the rule of law,” the LCP said.
“Such recklessness endangers not only the safety of our leaders but also the peace and security of the entire Filipino nation,” it added.
On Saturday, November 23, Duterte made an assassination statement against Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, as she slammed the House of Representatives’ order to transfer Office of the Vice President chief of staff Zuleika Lopez from the House detention facility to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.
Lopez was detained after being cited for contempt.
Duterte later clarified that her statement was “not a threat,” adding that she only wanted to highlight the alleged threat to her security.
Support
Meanwhile, the LCP said they expressed “unwavering support for the safety and protection of every public official, and most especially the First Family.”
“The League of Cities stands in steadfast support of President Marcos and his administration, and we call on all leaders to prioritize the welfare of our citizens over personal disputes,” the LCP said in a statement.
The group also demands an “immediate cessation of all inflammatory rhetoric and personal attacks.”
“We urge all parties involved to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and respect, particularly among our government officials, who represent the Filipino people,” it said.
“The Filipino people deserve unity and decisive action, not unnecessary and harmful bickering,” it added./With reports from GMA Integrated News / WDJ