The situation, in brief
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) President Atty. Domingo “Sonny” Reyes Jr. urged the public to resist fueling instability amid rising political tensions, saying a change in national leadership at this time “will not do our country any good.” His remark comes amid calls from Vice President…
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) President Atty. Domingo “Sonny” Reyes Jr. urged the public to resist fueling instability amid rising political tensions, saying a change in national leadership at this time “will not do our country any good.”
His remark comes amid calls from Vice President Sara Duterte’s supporters for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to resign in light of corruption controversies tied to flood-control projects.
The PLM President’s statement aligns with clarifications issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), which stressed this week that it is not calling for Marcos’ resignation.
CBCP Public Affairs executive secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano said the Church’s position is anchored on strengthening the rule of law, not pushing for a change in leadership.
“Wala pong paninindigan ang Simbahan na pababain ang Pangulo,” he said, emphasizing that due process and institutional accountability remain the Church’s primary concerns.
Secillano reiterated that those implicated in alleged wrongdoing must face charges as required under the law.
He underscored that the Church’s long-standing advocacy focuses on truth and justice, not political turnover, adding: “Wala pong panawagan na mag-resign… basta po ang mahalaga dito, may mga makakasuhan at umusad ‘yung legal na proseso.”
Malacañang Press Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos will not resign despite pressure from supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte who have been urging him to step down.
“The President is still working and continues to work for the country. So resignation is not an option,” Castro said in Filipino, calling the noise surrounding the issue “meaningless chatter.”
The political turbulence intensified following the surprise resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who stepped down “out of delicadeza” as investigations into alleged flood-control anomalies deepened.
Their exit triggered a reshuffling of key Cabinet posts, including the appointment of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto as the new Executive Secretary and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go as the new Finance chief.
The shake-up stemmed from allegations linking senior officials to supposed kickbacks and alleged “insertions” in the 2025 national budget, claims made separately by former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co.
