By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has decided not to proceed with his scheduled visit to the United States (US) not because of threats to his life but to allow him to address domestic issues, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Citing information from the National Security Council, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said there were no reported threats to Marcos’ life, aside from a previous threat from Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Wala po na direct threat sa buhay ng Pangulo pero hindi po sila magiging kampante sa pagsiguro at bigyan ng seguridad ang buhay ng Pangulo (There is no direct threat to the President’s life, but they will not be complacent in ensuring and providing security for the President),” Castro said in a Palace press briefing.
Marcos was supposed to visit the US to participate in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, which runs from Sept. 22 to 30.
Castro said Marcos instead preferred to focus on local and pressing issues the country is facing, including the controversies hounding the flood control projects and the prices of basic commodities.
“Lalo na kabubuo pa lamang ng ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure) at ito’y dapat matutukan ng Pangulo para mas mabilis na pag-aksiyon sa mga nari-report na maanomalyang flood control projects (Particularly as the ICI is still in the process of being established, it is imperative that the President closely monitor it to ensure prompt action on the reported anomalous flood control projects),” she said.
“Maliban diyan, at siyempre dapat tutukan pa rin ano ba ang pangangailangan ng taumbayan, ang mga bilihin para mapababa at marami pang iba. Bilang Presidente, maraming trabaho ang Pangulo (Besides that, it is of course essential to continue focusing on the needs of the people, such as lowering the prices of goods and many other concerns. As President, there are numerous responsibilities that the chief executive must attend to),” Castro added.
Castro also refuted claims that Marcos withdrew from his UNGA participation due to the anti-corruption rallies planned for Sept. 21.
Castro said staging protests against corruption is “natural” and “normal,” and a movement even welcomed by Marcos.
“Hindi naman po nangangamba ang Pangulo dahil alam po niya na ang pagpuprotesta ng taumbayan ay tungkol sa paglaban sa korapsiyon. At binanggit din po niya kahapon na siya mismo ang nagsimula upang mapaimbestigahan itong mga maanomalyang flood control projects (The President is not worried because he knows that the people’s protests are about fighting corruption He also mentioned yesterday that he himself initiated the investigation into these anomalous flood control projects),” Castro said.
“Alam po niya na ang magpuprotesta dito ay kakampi rin po niya, kakampi sa kaniyang adhikain. Dahil sabi nga po niya kahapon, kung hindi siya presidente, malamang ay makakasama rin siya sa pagprotesta laban sa korapsiyon (He knows that those who will protest are also his allies, allies in his cause. As he said yesterday, if he were not the President, he would likely be among those protesting against corruption).” (PNA)
