President Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� R. Marcos Jr. (Composite image from Inquirer file photos)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
鈥淎re you a dictator if you get badmouthed; your father鈥檚 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,鈥� Adiong said in a mix of Filipino and English.
鈥淚n fact, his responses have been so diplomatic. Is that the characteristic of a dictator?聽 I don鈥檛 think so鈥� He鈥檚 not even vindictive,鈥� he added.
It was Duterte鈥檚 father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who recently claimed that Marcos was veering toward dictatorship.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin then downplayed the older Duterte鈥檚 statements, saying that the ex-leader is a 鈥渙ne-man fake news factory.鈥�
According to Adiong, no elected official or sitting Supreme Court justice was arrested nor removed from office during Marcos鈥� time 鈥� 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.
鈥淣o one during his administration, like a chief justice, was removed through a quo warranto petition. No sitting senator was charged and detained. So there鈥檚 no indication to me 鈥� this administration is nearing the middle of its term 鈥� there is no indication saying that he鈥檚 a dictator,鈥� 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.
鈥淭here are many legal opinions stating that 鈥榌Mr.] President, you request the Senate to convene for any emergency session.鈥� He did not do that because he respects the separation of powers. He allows all the agencies to work according to their mandates. That鈥檚 not an indication, that鈥檚 not even an attribute of a dictator,鈥� he noted.
Earlier, Adiong鈥檚 colleague, Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Paolo Ortega (La Union, 1st District), called former President Rodrigo Duterte a 鈥渇补迟丑别谤-蹿补办别谤鈥� for his alleged insistence on using misinformation and disinformation to propel his Senate slate鈥檚 campaign.