Negros Occ. LGUs hit Sara Duterte for being ‘unbecoming, reckless’

INQUIRER FILES

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Some government officials in Negros Occidental have condemned the statements of Vice President Sara Duterte against the country’s top government executive, First Lady Liza Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

They said this move “seeks to disrupt peace and order.”

Provincial Board Member Anton Occeño, chairperson of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) in Negros Occidental, said they support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the face of the possible threats against himn the first lady and the House speaker.

“It is crucial as a nation that we remain united in support of the government’s efforts to combat any form of violence that undermines the stability of our nation,” read the PFP Negros Occidental statement released on Monday, Nov. 25.

Meanwhile, the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) on Sunday, Nov. 24, also denounced the recent outburst by Vice President Duterte.

The group said it endangers, not only the safety of leaders, but also the peace and security of the nation.

“The recent outburst by Vice President Sara Duterte is both unbecoming of her office and reckless,” the LCP said.

“Any suggestion or statement that the Vice President would be harmed and the heinous instruction of retaliation to, in turn, harm the President, the First Lady, the Speaker of the House, or any key government official is deeply irresponsible and a grave threat to our democracy and the rule of law,” it added.

Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez, meanwhile, expressed optimism that the ongoing tensions among the country’s top officials would soon be resolved for the benefit of the Filipino people.

“It’s a problem that they themselves have to solve. It can’t be done by anyone else—only them,” Gomez said in an interview on Saturday, Nov. 23.

“One day, they’ll meet and talk. I’m sure this problem will be resolved. They’re friends and allies. They will eventually reconcile,” he added.

The tensions escalated following allegations made by Vice President Duterte during an online press conference last Nov. 23.

The country’s second top official accused Romualdez of planning to have her killed.

Duterte also, in turn, claimed she had contacted someone to assassinate the three top political personalities if she would be taken down.

“Don’t worry about my security because I’ve already talked to someone. I told him, if I get killed, kill BBM, Liza Araneta and Martin Romualdez. No joke. No joke,” the vice president said.