Debt gratitude should not override the rule of law and justice, Malacañang said on Monday in response to Davao City Mayor Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte’s expletive-laden grievances against President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro was referring to the statement of Mayor Duterte, claiming that President Marcos has no ‘utang na loob’ or lacked appreciation for what former President Rodrigo Duterte did for his late father during his administration.
Castro noted that Duterte’s decision to allow the burial of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes Cemetery) was based on legal provisions, including Republic Act 289, Presidential Proclamation 208 issued by Marcos Sr., and Armed Forces of the Philippines regulations that entitle former presidents to burial at the site.
“As early as 2016, when President Marcos was still a senator, he had already thanked former President Duterte for his role in allowing his father’s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Castro said in a press briefing.
She read a statement issued by then-Senator Marcos in 2016: “We also would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte as his unwavering commitment to this issue sustained us these past several months. Our family will forever be thankful for this kind gesture.”
Regarding concerns about the former president’s potential arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Castro emphasized that legal processes and the Philippines’ commitments to Interpol must be upheld.
“The implementation of the law should not be hindered by personal relationships or past alliances. Betraying the law and the Constitution in the name of gratitude is unacceptable,” she said.
Castro also raised questions about whether Duterte’s notion of “debt of gratitude” extended to appointing Chinese national Michael Yang as his economic adviser, hinting at potential conflicts of interest.
“Was this appointment made out of gratitude? If so, was it a betrayal of national interest?” she asked.
Addressing tensions in Davao, Castro assured that Malacañang remains concerned about developments in the city, but urged residents to remain calm and discerning of misinformation.
The PCO executive pointed out that Mayor Duterte’s claims of an impending raid on their home had been refuted by police authorities. “When such claims are proven false, they only serve to confuse and unsettle the public. Can we consider this fake news? Possibly,” she said.
On the issue of free speech and its limits, Castro reiterated that while President Marcos is open to criticism, inciting sedition and encouraging hatred against the government crosses a line.
“The President is not onion-skinned. But when statements go beyond criticism and encourage actions against the government, we must step up,” she said.
“As of now, there is no indication that the President will take legal action, but we continue to assess the situation,” she said.
The Palace continues to call for vigilance, urging the public to verify information before believing or spreading unverified claims.