How can Marcos be a dictator when he isn鈥檛 even vindictive? 鈥� Adiong
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. (Composite image from Inquirer file photos)
MANILA, Philippines — The claim that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is veering toward dictatorship is far from reality since the chief executive has not been vindictive despite uncalled-for attacks, a lawmaker from the House of Representatives said on Monday.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong in a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa complex said that he could not see any characteristics of a dictator in Marcos because he had been diplomatic even if the attacks against him involved his relatives.
Adiong was referring to Vice President Sara Duterte’s threats to kill Marcos, first lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez last November 2024, and her warning that he will dig up the body of the president’s father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
“Are you a dictator if you get badmouthed; your father’s remains threatened to be exhumed and thrown into the West Philippine Sea; your life, your wife, and the House speaker who is your cousin are threatened? Then he did not do anything directly? He has all the power at his disposal and yet he is doing nothing,” Adiong said in a mix of Filipino and English.
“In fact, his responses have been so diplomatic. Is that the characteristic of a dictator? I don’t think so… He’s not even vindictive,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisementIt was Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who recently claimed that Marcos was veering toward dictatorship.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin then downplayed the older Duterte’s statements, saying that the ex-leader is a “one-man fake news factory.”
According to Adiong, no elected official or sitting Supreme Court justice was arrested nor removed from office during Marcos’ time — in an apparent shade to the fate of former Sen. Leila de Lima and former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
De Lima faced different drug-related charges and was detained for almost seven years, only for her to be acquitted in all cases.
Meanwhile, Sereno was removed through a quo warranto petition filed by former Solicitor General Jose Calida.
“No one during his administration, like a chief justice, was removed through a quo warranto petition. No sitting senator was charged and detained. So there’s no indication to me — this administration is nearing the middle of its term — there is no indication saying that he’s a dictator,” Adiong said.
Adiong also noted that Marcos refrained from ordering the Senate to convene a special session even if that would mean that the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte would push through.
“There are many legal opinions stating that ‘[Mr.] President, you request the Senate to convene for any emergency session.’ He did not do that because he respects the separation of powers. He allows all the agencies to work according to their mandates. That’s not an indication, that’s not even an attribute of a dictator,” he noted.
Earlier, Adiong’s colleague, Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Paolo Ortega (La Union, 1st District), called former President Rodrigo Duterte a “father-faker” for his alleged insistence on using misinformation and disinformation to propel his Senate slate’s campaign.
