NATIONAL NEWS
November 23-29, 2023
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Marcos: VP Sara Duterte does not deserve to be impeached MANILA – Take it from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself: Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte continues to enjoy his full support amid impeachment calls against her. Marcos said that she (Duterte) does not deserve to be ousted from office. “Binabantayan namin nang mabuti (We are watching closely) because we don’t want her to be impeached. We don’t want her to—she does not deserve to be impeached. So, we will make sure that this is something that we will pay very close attention to,” Marcos said. He made the remarks during the Kapihan with the Media on Sunday afternoon (Hawaii time) when asked for his reaction to the reported plans to impeach the Vice President. He added that impeachment calls against high-ranking officials are not something new as he emphasized that there would always be “an element” that wants “to change the results of an election.” Asked if there is already a “crack” in the Uniteam, Marcos said that he does not see it coming as he emphasized that they are even getting stronger and bigger with the addition of more members. Marcos also noted a political development in the Uniteam over the past few months.
“These are the same people that talk about impeachment. They are the same people that talk ‘wala na, nagbabaklas-baklas na ‘yung Uniteam.’ Hindi totoo ‘yun. Tingnan na lang niyo mga (‘it’s over, the Uniteam is dividing’. It’s not true. Just look at the) political developments in the past few months,” President Marcos said. Marcos also stressed, on a personal level, that they have an excellent relationship with Duterte as he emphasized that he sees nothing but good things about her work in the Department of Education. Duterte said Marcos knew about the impeachment rumors and reassured her before leaving for the United States that his trust in her remains.
No oust-Marcos plot, PNP assures MANILA— The Philippine National Police (PNP) reassured the public there is no brewing destabilization plot as it dismissed reports of “uneasiness” among its ranks. PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo made the statement when asked for comment about former president Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that the military and the police are closely watching the political developments at the House of Representatives amid the allegedly emerg- Philippine Na�onal Police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo ing alliance between Speaker speaks to reporters Martin Romualdez and ACT Teachers Party- 100 percent behind this administration,” she added. list Rep. France Castro. During his SMNI program on Wednesday, “On the part of the PNP, hindi tayo makikilahok sa anumang attempt na i-desta- Duterte said Congress should be sensitive to bilize itong ating government. Bagama’t sabi the sentiments of the military and the police. “Bantayan ninyo ang military pati pulis. ko nga, ang PNP ay nakahanda para i-defend ang security at sovereignty ng ating bansa Kayong nakipagkonsabo... hindi ko kayo tibut these political issues, sana ay huwag na natakot. Pero, bantayan ninyo ang military masama pa iyong PNP (On the part of the pati pulis. Ilan ang namatay at pinatay ninyo PNP we will not participate in any attempt na pulis pati militar (Watch the military and to destabilize our government. Although as I the police closely. You who are conniving… said, the PNP is ready to defend the security I am not scaring you. But watch the military and sovereignty of our country but I hope the and the police. How many soldiers and police PNP would be excluded from these political have been killed already)?” Duterte said, referring to security forces’ deaths at the hands issues),” she said. “Mayroon tayong mandato na i-enforce of Communist Party of the Philippines-New iyong ating mga batas but kagaya ng sinabi People’s Army rebels. The former chief executive is facing a ko kanina na as an institution, ang PNP po (We have a mandate to enforce our laws, as complaint filed by Castro, who accused him I said earlier, as an institution, the PNP is) of grave threats and red-tagging
