Dept. of National Defense OIC urges Filipinos to unite behind Bongbong Marcos

Department of National Defense officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. (Contributed photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. on Friday urged the public to stand united behind the leadership of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

 “Your Defense Department is cognizant of the need for cohesiveness as a people to achieve our desired goal,” Faustino said in a statement.

“Hence, the recent innuendos against the Honorable Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez, or against any person for that matter, is an assault to his honor,” he added.

Faustino was referring to the rumored resignation of Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez. Malacanang has denied the rumor.

Faustino also said that any attempt to divide the country through what he called “malicious allegations” would be an “anathema to our collective aspiration for a stable and progressive Philippines.”

 “[I] respectfully enjoin every Filipino to stand united behind our country’s leadership,” he added.

Supports pour in

More expression of support to the Marcos administration and Rodriguez has also started to pour in, calling on Filipinos to reject the proliferation of intrigues aimed at sowing distrust between Marcos and his chief aide in Malacañang.

In separate statements, the Quezon City Trial Lawyers League Inc., the Filipino League of Advocates for Good Governance-Maharlika (FLAG-Maharlika) and the DND, all express their support to the leadership of Marcos and his call for national unity and to Rodriguez who was a victim of a vicious rumor last week.

“On the eve of the State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos, Jr., the Quezon City Trial Lawyers League, Inc., an organization of more than 500 law practitioners has called upon its members to rally, support and to stand united behind the present administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos, Jr. and his entire Cabinet led by Executive Secretary Atty. Victor D. Rodriguez,” QCTLLI said in a statement on Sunday.

The group said it was issuing the statement in order to clear the air as regards the “unfounded and baseless accusations by some quarters directed against ES Rodriguez which in essence was being orchestrated against the PBBM administration.

For his part, Aio Bautista, lead convenor FLAG-Maharlika, denounced the “disinformation” regarding Rodriguez’s false resignation.

Calling Rodriguez as “one of our own,” Bautista also described Rodriguez as “a true loyalist, a diligent worker (and), a friend to our beloved President” whose loyalty is beyond doubt.

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