By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Mincing no words, House leaders on Monday assailed former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s son Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte for daring President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. to resign if he has no love and aspirations for the country.
Calling Baste’s remarks disrespectful and baseless, Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga lawmaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales II as well as Deputy Speaker and Quezon legislator Jayjay Suarez have defended the Chief Executive, saying he’s “very hardworking” and committed to serving the Filipino people.
“We have to respect the Office of the President. It is baffling that he is being asked to resign. Our President is very hardworking. Kapag iyon ang panawagan, alam niyo na ang kasunod,” Gonzales said.
For his part, Suarez noted that Marcos Jr. understands what it takes to fulfill his mandate.
“His commitment to the Filipino people is the trust given by the people when he won the presidency will not to put to waste. What was mentioned in Davao calling for his resignation is disrespectful of the man, considering the position that he holds,” he said.
The Quezon lawmaker added: “You follow him (PBBM) around for your media work, and you can see that the President is dedicated to his job. He starts his schedule early, visiting places, and attending Cabinet meetings. Unfortunately, it had to be mentioned that way, but we commit our unequivocal support to our President.”
Former President Duterte also accused the President of being “bangag”, a Filipino term for being high on illegal drugs.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez earlier warned the Dutertes against lying and plotting the ouster of Marcos Jr. who is incidentally his first-degree cousin.
(el Amigo/MNM)