President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said political tensions in the country can only be eased by those who allegedly initiated them, stressing that his administration has remained focused on governance and public service despite rising criticism.
Speaking during the Kapihan with the Media in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, May 29, as part of his state visit, Marcos responded to a question on whether he would take steps to reduce the “political heat” as he enters his fourth year in office.
“The only persons who can turn down the political heat are the people who turned up the political heat in the first place,” the president said.
He denied engaging in political attacks, insisting that his administration has avoided confrontation with any political group.
“I have never turned up the political heat. I have never attacked anyone. I have never put down anyone. I have never declared war on any political group whatsoever. All I do is work,” Marcos said.
The president added that those who are raising political tensions are doing so through “preposterous allegations” and self-serving political actions, which he said are not in the interest of the public.
He also categorized politicians into two groups: those who contribute to governance and those who engage in obstruction.
“There are two kinds of politicians in my view: those who are actually helping and those who are doing nothing but obstruction,” he said. “Meron dyan obstructionists. Walang ginawa kundi gusto mang gulo.”
When pressed to identify those he was referring to, Marcos declined to name individuals but said such dynamics are a normal part of political life.
“That’s the nature of politics. It is an adversarial process,” he added, noting that differing political approaches naturally lead to conflict and disagreement.
Despite the tensions, Marcos emphasized that his administration remains focused on delivering programs and services to Filipinos while leaving it to critics to decide whether to contribute to lowering political friction.
The remarks come amid heightened political discourse in recent months involving allegations, investigations, and growing divisions among key political figures.
