Malacañang said the Marcos administration remains confident in its mandate following the midterm elections, emphasizing that while legitimate opposition is welcome, those working solely to derail government efforts will be dealt with accordingly.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this following the partial and unofficial results of the midterms polls, which showed that six of the 11 administration-backed candidates made the Magic 12.

In her press briefing, the Palace official believes that the public still supports the President, considering that midterm elections are considered a referendum on an administration.

"Naniniwala pa rin po ang Pangulo na malaki pa rin po ang suporta ng taumbayan sa adminstrasyon ngayon (The President believes he still enjoys strong support from the people now)," she said Wednesday, May 14.

"Tandaan po natin, ang kahuli-hulihan po ng survey ay nagpapakita na mataas na trust rating po ng Pangulo (Let’s remember, the latest surveys show the President still enjoys high trust ratings)," she added.

A Tangere nationwide survey conducted from May 8 to 9 showed that the Office of the President received a 61.8 percent satisfaction rating, a 10 percent increase in the President's rating.

Meanwhile, Castro drew a sharp distinction between the opposition and those she called "obstructionists."

"Lehitimong oppositionist, ang ipinaglalaban nila ay ang bansa, ang interes ng taumbayan, hindi ang personal na interes (A legitimate oppositionist fights for the country and the people’s interest, not personal agendas)," she said.

"Obstructionist, walang gagawin kundi manira. Walang makikitang maganda sa ginagawa ng gobyerno, at ang sariling interes lamang ang gustong palaguin (An obstructionist does nothing but destroy. They see nothing good in what the government does and only push their own interests)," she added.

Castro said that the government is prepared to respond to attempts at disinformation and character attacks, particularly those based on false claims.

"Kung gagawa sila ng fake news… ito po ay ating tutugunan kaagad (If they spread fake news… we will address it immediately)," she said.

Despite mixed election results, the Palace Press Officer said President Marcos remains committed to collaborating with all newly elected leaders, reiterating that it was time to move forward and focus on serving the public, regardless of political color.

"Ang trabaho po nila ay para sa bayan, para sa taumbayan, hindi para sa iilang interes (Their work is for the nation, for the people—not for select interests)," she said.

The six Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas members who made the Magic 12 are Erwin Tulfo, Ping Lacson, Tito Sotto, Pia Cayetano, Camille Villar, and Lito Lapid.

Candidates in the Top 12 endorsed by the camp of former president Rodrigo Duterte include Bong Go, Ronald dela Rosa, Rodante Marcoleta, Villar, and Imee Marcos.

Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, two candidates linked to former vice president Leni Robredo, also entered the Top 12 despite not being a top contender in different pre-election surveys.