Palace welcomes ‘legitimate’ opposition but will fight ‘obstructionists’
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro. Screengrab from RTVM/FACEBOOK
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang will welcome “legitimate” oppositionists in the 20th Congress but will fight “obstructionists,” according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
This pronouncement came two days after Vice President Sara Duterte vowed to build a “powerful opposition” against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration as the partial results of the 2025 elections started coming in.
“Whatever their color, the president welcomes all our leaders to attend to whatever problems and to give solutions to the needs of our fellow countrymen,” Castro said in Filipino in a briefing on Wednesday.
“The administration also hopes for the presence of legitimate oppositionists but will fight the obstructionists who hide under the guise of an oppositionist,” he added.
READ: Sara Duterte disappointed; vows to build ‘powerful opposition’
When asked to clarify, Castro said a “legitimate” opposition fights for the interests of the people, whereas “obstructionists only fight for their own interests.”
“If they ever make fake news, whatever news or whatever statements that may damage the government without basis, we will immediately respond,” Castro said in Filipino.
READ: Senate race: Go leads early count; Aquino, Pangilinan in
As of 11:29 a.m. on Wednesday, partial and unofficial results showed that half of the “Magic 12” in the senatorial race were from the administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas:
- 4th place – ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo
- 7th place – Former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson
- 8th place – Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto
- 9th place – Reelectionist Sen. Pia Cayetano
- 10th place – Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar
- 11th place – Reelectionist Sen. Lito Lapid
Four Duterte-backed candidates are also in the winning circle so far:
- 1st place – Reelectionist Sen. Bong Go
- 3rd place – Reelectionist Sen. Bato dela Rosa
- 6th place – SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta
- 12th place – Reelectionist Sen. Imee Marcos
READ: Marcos offers cooperation to 2025 election winners
Meanwhile, former Senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan placed second and fifth, respectively.
In a statement on Tuesday, Marcos extended his hand of cooperation to the winners of the 2025 elections./mcm
