MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday rejected suggestions that he should take the lead in easing the country’s increasingly heated political climate, insisting he has never fueled political tensions and arguing that those responsible for stoking political conflict should be the ones to de-escalate it.
Speaking to reporters during a media briefing, Marcos said he has consistently focused on governance and public service rather than engaging in political attacks, even as calls mount for political leaders to help lower partisan tensions.
“The only persons who can turn down the political heat are the people who turn up the political heat in the first place,” Marcos said.
The President maintained that he has not contributed to the hostile political environment that has characterized recent public discourse and political exchanges.
“I have never turned up the political heat. I have never attacked anyone. I have never put down anyone. I have never declared war on any political group whatsoever. All I do is work,” he said.
Marcos said responsibility for reducing political tensions rests with individuals and groups he accused of spreading baseless accusations and intensifying political disputes.
“So, those who have raised the heat, those who are making all kinds of preposterous allegations, they have increased the heat, the political heat. Only they can turn it down,” he said.
The President made the remarks when asked about efforts to ease the political climate as his administration prepares to enter its fourth year in office.
Marcos also drew a distinction between politicians he described as working to improve the lives of Filipinos and those whom he suggested contribute to political instability through obstruction and controversy.
According to the President, meaningful efforts to reduce political tensions must begin with those who have contributed to the current atmosphere of conflict.
“If you are desirous of lowering the political temperature, you have to look at who raised the political temperature in the first place. They are the ones who can lower the political temperature,” he said. /PN
