Victor Rodriguez —Photo from Bongbong Marcos Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines — The camp of presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday confirmed his trip to Australia, saying it was a “private trip” with family for a “much-needed rest and vacation.”
His spokesman, Atty. Vic Rodriguez, said Marcos just wanted to enjoy his few days as “Citizen Bongbong.”
“It’s more of a private trip, a private visit for a much-needed rest and vacation for Bongbong Marcos and I think he would just want to enjoy the remaining few days before he assumes officially his office as President of the Republic,” he said in a press conference.
“Pinipilit na lang niya i-enjoy, momentarily, ‘yung kanyang pagiging Citizen Bongbong,” he added.
He said Marcos is expected to return to the Philippines on Thursday, May 19.
Article VII, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution states that the president and the vice president “shall be elected by direct vote of the people for a term of six years which shall begin at noon on the thirtieth day of June next following the day of the election and shall end at noon of the same date six years thereafter.”
Felicitations from Australian leader
Rodriguez said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had already conveyed his congratulatory messages to Marcos through a call.
“Early this morning, nakapag-usap na rin ang pinuno ng Australia, Prime Minister Morrison at si Marcos, kung saan ay nagpahatid ng congratulatory message ang pinuno Australia dahil sa integridad na naganap sa ating halalan at kanya ring pinahatid ang kanyang pagbati sa sambayanang Pilipino dahil payapa nating nairaos ang pinaka-demokratikong uri ng pamimili ng lider,” according to Rodriguez.
(Early this morning, the Australian Prime Minister has already talked with Marcos where he sent his congratulatory message for the integrity of the 2022 elections and the peaceful conduct of the polls.)
“He affirmed ‘yung kanilang gobyerno na patuloy na mainit at close interaction at pakikipag-ugnayan sa Pilipinas at pagbati na rin sa malinaw at malinis na tagumpay ni Bongbong Marcos,” Rodriguez claimed.
(He affirmed his government’s close interaction and coordination with the Philippines and he also congratulated Marcos for his clear and clean win.)
Protest greets Marcos
Despite no official announcement of the trip being made by Marcos, he was reportedly met by protestors from the overseas Filipino community, saying he is not welcome in the so-called Land Down Under.
Marcos’ camp slammed this behavior by the Filipino community there as “shameful,” as it is not the custom of Filipinos to ridicule their fellow countryman, especially on foreign soil.
“Nakakahiya. Nakakahiya bilang Pilipino nakakahiya. Hindi ugali ng Pilipino hiyain at pahiyain ang kapwa niya Pilipino sa isang bansa na hindi naman Pilipinas. I think the best authority or person to say whether he is welcome or not are the Australian government, not fellow Filipinos na nandun lang din punong-puno ng poot at pait ang puso,” Rodriguez said.
(It’s shameful. It is not the behavior of a Filipino to shame his fellow countryman in another country. I think the best authority or person to say whether he is welcome or not is the Australian government, not fellow Filipinos who are only there because they have full of hate and bitterness in their hearts.)
“Wala sa kaugalian nating mga Pilipino ang hiyain ang kapwa mo Pilipino sa ibang bansa. Ang Pilipino ay kilala na nagtutulungan, mababait tayo. Huwag niyo gawin ‘yan sa ibang bansa, sa ibang bayan. Wala kayong ibang agenda kundi palaganapin ang inyong poot at pait sa inyong puso,” he added.
(It is not in our culture to shame our fellow Filipinos overseas. Filipinos are known to be helpful, and kind. Don’t do that in other countries. You don’t have any agenda but to perpetuate your hate and bitterness in your hearts.)
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