By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. rejected claims that the arrest of his cousin and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is part of a political “drama,” saying such accusations are merely attacks against his administration.
In a media briefing on Sunday following his attendance at the 18th BRICS Summit in India, Marcos was asked about critics who claimed Romualdez was receiving special treatment or that his arrest was staged.
Marcos said such remarks were not really about the court proceedings.
He said critics were simply looking for something to say to undermine or insult him and his administration.
“It’s kind of may masabi, kailangan may masabi para insultuhin ka o to put you down, or sabihin mali ‘yung ginagawa mo (It’s kind of, they just need to have something to say to insult you or put you down, or say that what you’re doing is wrong),” Marcos said.
“Basta ang sasabihin basically pinapatunay nila na wala kang kwentang tao (Basically, what they’re saying is to prove that you are a worthless person),” he added.
Marcos said such statements should not be mistaken for actual commentary on the judicial process involving Romualdez.
“So they have to say that. So that’s what they’re saying. They’re not commenting about. That’s not a comment on the procedures of court. It’s just another attack. We get them a lot,” he said.
Romualdez is facing legal proceedings over allegations linked to the government’s investigation into the multibillion-peso flood control scandal.
The President repeatedly said that those responsible for wrongdoing should be held accountable regardless of personal or political ties, while stressing that those accused should be given due process. (PNA)
