Baste Duterte's call for Marcos to resign disrespectful, baseless —House leaders

 Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte’s call for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is disrespectful and baseless, House leaders said Monday.

Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga lawmaker Aurelio Gonzales II as well as Deputy Speaker and Quezon legislator Jayjay Suarez made the response after Mayor Duterte, son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, said Marcos should resign if he has no love and aspirations for the country.

“We have to respect the Office of the President. It is baffling that he is being asked to resign. Our President is very hardworking. Kapag iyon ang panawagan, alam niyo na ang kasunod (if that is their call, you know what is next),” Gonzales said.

Mayor Duterte is the brother of Vice President Sara Duterte, who served as Marcos' running mate in the 2022 elections. 

Suarez said that Marcos understands what it takes to fulfill his mandate.

“His commitment to the Filipino people is the trust given by the people when he won the presidency will not to put to waste. What was mentioned in Davao calling for his resignation is totally disrespectful of the man, considering the position that he holds,” he said.

"You follow him around for your media work, and you can see that the President is dedicated to his job.  He starts his schedule early, visiting places, attending Cabinet meetings. It is unfortunate that it had to be mentioned that way, but we commit our unequivocal support to our President,” Suarez added.

Aside from Mayor Duterte's comments, former President Duterte also accused the President of being bangag, a Filipino term for being high on illegal drugs. 

Speaker Martin Romualdez, cousin of Marcos, earlier warned the Dutertes against lying and plotting the ouster of his cousin. —LDF, GMA Integrated News