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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider No direct threat on Marcos' life —Palace

No direct threat on Marcos' life —Palace

Published Sep 16, 2025 03:00 pm
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City to deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, 2025. (Mark Balmores)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City to deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, 2025. (Mark Balmores)
Malacañang has debunked claims that the reason behind President Marcos' decision to skip the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York was threats to his life.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire said on Tuesday, Sept. 16, that there is no direct threat to the President's life.
"Actually, naitanong po natin iyan at maliban po ‘no, maliban po sa naging pagbabanta dati ng Bise Presidente sa buhay ng Pangulo, base po sa National Security Council ADG Cornelio Valencia, wala po na direct threat sa buhay ng Pangulo (Actually, we have already asked about that, and aside from the previous threat made by the Vice President against the President’s life, according to National Security Council ADG Cornelio Valencia, there is no direct threat to the President’s life)," Castro said.
"Pero hindi po sila magiging kampante sa pagsiguro at bigyan ng seguridad ang buhay ng Pangulo (However, they will not be complacent in ensuring and providing security for the President)," Castro added.
The Palace official reiterated that Marcos' opted to not attend the UNGA slated this month to focus on issues in the country.
When asked what these local issues are, Castro cited flood control anomalies given that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has just been formed.
"Marami, lalo na kabubuo pa lamang ng ICI at ito’y dapat matutukan ng Pangulo para mas mabilis na pag-aksyon sa mga nari-report na maanomalyang flood control projects (There are many, especially since the ICI has only just been established, and the President must closely monitor it to ensure faster action on the reported anomalous flood control projects)," Castro said.
"Maliban diyan, at siyempre dapat tutukan pa rin ano ba ang pangangailangan ng taumbayan, ang mga bilihin para mapababa at marami pang iba. Bilang presidente, maraming trabaho ang Pangulo (Aside from that, of course, attention must also be given to the needs of the people—such as lowering the prices of goods, among many others. As President, there is much work to be done)," she added.
Not worries over Sept. 21 protest
Marcos was supposed to depart for New York on Sept. 21, the same day an anti-corruption protest is expected to happen.
The Palace official said it was not a factor in the President's decision, stressing that he "is not worried" about the upcoming protest because "he himself initiated the investigation into these anomalous flood control projects" when he exposed them in August.
Castro also said that protesting is natural and  it is normal in every country whenever citizens have sentiments to express.
"Hindi naman po nangangamba ang Pangulo dahil alam po niya na ang pagpuprotesta ng taumbayan ay tungkol sa paglaban sa korapsyon. At binanggit din po niya kahapon na siya mismo ang nagsimula upang mapaimbestigahan itong mga maanomalyang flood control projects (The President is not worried because he knows that the people’s protests are about fighting corruption. He also mentioned yesterday that he himself initiated the investigation into these anomalous flood control projects)," Castro said.
She further said that the President is not concerned about the protest as he knows that the protesters have the same objective as him.
"So, hindi po nangangamba ang Pangulo sa gagawing protesta dahil alam po niya na ang magpuprotesta dito ay kakampi rin po niya, kakampi sa kanyang adhikain. Dahil sabi nga po niya kahapon, kung hindi siya presidente, malamang ay makakasama rin siya sa pagprotesta laban sa korapsyon (So, the President is not concerned about the upcoming protest because he knows that those who will be protesting are also his allies—supporters of his cause. As he said yesterday, if he were not the President, he would most likely be joining the protest against corruption himself)," Castro said.
She also said that the President respects the voice of the people, but she appealed to not mix in other intentions aimed at toppling the government as that is against the law.

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