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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace gets technical: Marcos is open, not offering reconciliation

Palace gets technical: Marcos is open, not offering reconciliation

Published Jun 4, 2025 02:54 pm
President Marcos was merely saying he was open for reconciliation with the Duterte family, he did not offer it.
This was how Malacañang responded to Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte's comment on Marcos' statement over reconciliation with political opponents, including the Dutertes.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks during a press conference at the Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur following the 46th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, May 27, 2025. (Mark Balmores)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks during a press conference at the Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur following the 46th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, May 27, 2025. (Mark Balmores)
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that Marcos did not offer reconciliation to the Dutertes, he only conveyed that he remains open to reconciling with political opponents in the name of the country's stability and peace.
"Sana po napakinggan niyang mabuti kung ano ang bawat salitang nanggaling sa Pangulo. Tinanong po siya ni Mr. Anthony Taberna kung open siya for reconciliation (I hope he listened carefully to every word the President said. He was asked by Mr. Anthony Taberna if he was open for reconciliation)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, June 4.
"If I'm not mistaken, that's the word: open. Not 'offer.' So, malaki po ang pagkakaiba ng open for reconciliation at nag-o-offer ng reconciliation (So, there is a big difference between being open for reconciliation and offering reconciliation)," Castro added.
The Palace official stressed that Marcos' response to the question was only right from a President, saying that no decent president would be against any reconciliation.
"Bilang ama ng bansa, tatanungin siya kung siya ba ay open for reconciliation sa mga Duterte at sa ibang mga tao na maaaring nag-o-oppose sa mga polisya niya. Ano po ba ang dapat maging tugon ng isang ama ng bansa? Dapat lang, opo, open siya for reconciliation (As the father of the nation, if he was asked if he’s open to reconciling with the Dutertes and with others who may oppose his policies, what should a leader of a nation say? Of course, he should be open to reconciliation)," Castro pointed out.
Castro also shrugged off the Davao City mayor's claim that the President was a liar, weak, and arrogant, saying "can we really expect a kind word from him for the President? His reaction is expected."
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) undersecretary also dismissed the mayor's comment that the ongoing Cabinet revamp, especially the removal of Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, was just a smoke screen.
"Ang ginawa po ng Pangulo ay ma-retain ang mga napagkakatiwalaan niya pa at mawala yung mga opisyal na merong under-delivery o underperformance. So, alamin niya po kasi muna ang facts bago po siya mamintas at maging obstructionist (What the President did was to retain those he still trusts and remove officials who were underperforming or underdelivering. He should learn the facts first before criticizing and be obstructionist)," Castro said.

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