Marcos admin welcomes legitimate opposition, vows to fight obstructionists

Amid the partial, unofficial results of the midterm elections, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. will welcome ''legitimate oppositionists'' in the government but will fight ''obstructionists'' in the administration, Malacañang said Wednesday.

At a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked for comment on how will the legislative agenda of the President be affected with the looming victory of six administration-backed candidates.

Castro said the President expects that the winners of Eleksyon 2025 would work to address the needs of the public. The administration will also welcome the presence of legitimate oppositionists, but it will prevent those obstructionists who only think of their personal welfare.

''Ngayon po na naboto na po ang susunod na leaders natin, umaasa ang Pangulo na ang bawat isa, ang lahat sa kanila na binoto ng sambayanan ay tutugon sa pangangailangan ng taumbayan. Ang trabaho po nila ay para sa bayan, para sa taumbayan, hindi para sa iilang interes, so anumang kulay 'yan, wine-welcome po talaga ng Pangulo na magkaisa ang bawat leaders natin para tugunan kung anuman ang problema at mabigyang solusyon ang pangangailangan ng kababayan natin,'' Castro said.

(Now that people have elected our next leaders, our President expects that each of them will address the needs of the public. Their work is for the country, for our countrymen and not for the interest of some, so whatever their 'color' is, the President welcomes them to unite and address the problems and solve the needs of the people.)

''Inaasahan din po ng administrasyon ang presensya ng lehitimong oppositionist pero lalabanan po ang mga obstructionist na nagtatago sa pangalan ng oppositionist... mga obstructionist na maaaring pansarili lamang ang kanilang ilalaban,'' she added.

(The administration expects the presence of legitimate oppositionists but will fight obstructionists who will pretend to be oppositionist, obstructionist who only thinks of their own welfare.)

She explained that the legitimate oppositionists push for the welfare of Filipino citizens, while those obstructionists do not see the programs of the government as they only think of their own welfare.

''Pagka sinabi nating lehitimong oppositionist, ang ipinaglalaban nila ay ang bansa, ang interes ng taumbayan, hindi ang personal na interes. Obstructionist, walang gagawin kung hindi manira, walang makikitang maganda sa ginagawa ng gobyerno at ang sariling interes lamang ang gustong palaguin,'' she said.

(If we say legitimate oppositionist, they fight for the country and for the interest of the citizens, not their own interest. The obstructionist only destroy and they do not see any good with what the government is doing. They only want to advance their own interest.)

Asked if the President was satisfied with the result of the election, Castro answered in the affirmative.

''Satisfied po ang Pangulo dahil nalaman po natin na ang iba pang mga naboto ay mayroong sariling dignidad, may sariling paniniwala at ang karamihan po doon ay para sa bayan at hindi para sa ibang bansa,'' she said.

(The President is satisfied because we learned that those who were voted for have dignity and their own beliefs, and it's for the country and not for other nations.)

Castro also said Marcos still believes that the public is still supportive of the administration.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Marcos emphasized that he is extending his hand to the newly-elected leaders, regardless of the political party or coalition.

He said governance is a shared responsibility and a mission that requires unity and burden sharing for the common good.

Marcos also expressed gratitude to all Filipinos who have exercised their right to vote in the 2025 midterm elections, saying that the country's democracy has renewed itself, peacefully, orderly, and with dignity.—AOL/VBL, GMA Integrated News