LCP expresses continued support for Marcos’ leadership

The League of the Cities of the Philippines (LCP) on Wednesday expressed its continued support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s leadership in the wake of calls for Marcos to step down over allegations of corruption hounding his administration.

In a statement, the LCP backed Marcos’ commitment to empower local government units (LGUs) and promote good governance.

“We stand behind his commitment to further empower LGUs in advancing public infrastructure, education, and health services, while upholding transparency and accountability in public governance,” they said.

“As cities, we remain steadfast in fulfilling our mandate to serve the Filipino people and pursue programs that uplift communities. We are committed to aligning our efforts with the President’s initiatives and to keeping our focus on our shared mission of building a just, progressive, and resilient nation,” the LCP added.

The LCPs statement of support came after protests of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) and United Peoples’ Initiative (UPI) that called for accountability and transparency in the government’s probe of corruption in flood control projects.

During the INC’s rally on Monday, Senator Imee Marcos – the President’s elder sister – alleged that her brother and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos were illegal drug users.

She added that she even begged then President Rodrigo Duterte to run after drug pushers and spare drug users.

Malacañang initially called the senator’s remarks as a “desperate move.” The Palace later said the drug use allegations were debunked a few years ago through negative drug tests of the President.

On Tuesday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the senator wanted to oust the President to advance the interests of her fellow “Team Itim,” an apparent reference to the senator’s campaign ad with Vice President Sara Duterte.

The UPI, in an earlier statement on Monday, said public office is a public trust and that the President “must resign immediately” when that trust is broken.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said they will look into calls urging the President to resign and other calls for the military to withdraw support, warning that such remarks may be seditious.

However, the UPI Lawyers Group on Wednesday maintained that the UPI did not commit sedition when it called for Marcos to step down, as such remarks are protected under Article III, Section 18 (1) of the 1987 Constitution.

“No person shall be detained solely by reason of his political beliefs and aspirations. Peaceful political expression, including calls for the resignation of the President, is fully protected under the Constitution and recognized jurisprudence,” the UPI lawyers said. — JMA, GMA Integrated News