Marcos not 'onion skinned' over criticisms after Duterte arrest — Palace

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is not onion-skinned amid the bad remarks thrown against him following the arrest of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.

At a press briefing on Monday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked at what point does the Philippine government draw the line between free speech and inciting to rebellion or sedition as there were gatherings being done to show massive support for Duterte.

''As we can say, the president is not onion skinned, okay. Usually po, hindi po siya nadadala ng ganyan pero kapag po nandoon na po iyong elemento ng inciting to sedition which is of course without any tumultuous uprising but they are encouraging people to sow hatred to the government, to the President then we have to step up,'' Castro said.

(The President is not onion skinned. He is often not affected by those things, however, if there are elements inciting to sedition, which is of course without any tumultuous uprising but they are encouraging people to sow hatred to the government, to the President then we have to step up.)

Castro said the government would step up by filing cases and complaints, if necessary.

''But as of the moment, there is no indication on the part of the President that he will do that,'' Castro said.

Castro also said the protest actions being done to show support for Duterte are normal, adding that the government will not prevent those activities. However, she said the protest actions should not be alarming.

''Hindi po natin mawawala sa kanilang damdamin, iyan po ay normal dahil mayroon pong naging pangyayari sa kanilang malamang iniidolo at panatiko po sila ng isang leader,'' Castro said.

(We cannot prevent their feelings, their feelings are normal because something happened to the leader whom they looked up to.)

''Hindi po natin pipigilan ang pagsasabi ng kanilang mga damdamin huwag lang po sigurong lalagpas na magkakaroon po ng alarma at masasabi po natin na iyan po ay sedition or inciting to sedition na po,'' she added.

(We will not prevent them from voicing their sentiments, but of course, their activities should not be alarming and those should not result in inciting sedition.)

Over the weekend, there were rallies held in various parts of the country to back Duterte amid his legal battle before the International Criminal Court.

Duterte was arrested Tuesday last week upon his arrival in Manila from Hong Kong after the ICC issued an arrest warrant against him for crimes against humanity.

On Friday, Duterte faced via video link the ICC, while his counsel, former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea was present inside the court.

The next hearing on the confirmation of the charges has been set for Sept. 23, 2025. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News