President Marcos vows to fight back against threats

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday vowed to resist a “disturbing” plot of Vice President Sara Duterte to have him assassinated, chiding his political ally-turned-arch critic for resorting to “kwentong chicheria” or silly talk just to evade questions about her alleged misuse of confidential funds.

In his strongest statement yet on Duterte, Marcos said the issue would not have reached dramatic proportions had Duterte answered the “legitimate” questions raised in the Senate and the House of Representatives regarding her use of confidential funds.

In a video statement, Marcos said criminal plots should not be condoned, as he cited the need for every Filipino to uphold the rule of law.

“The statements we heard in the past days are disturbing. There were indiscriminate profanities and threats to have some of us killed. If it’s that easy to plot the killing of a President, how much more the ordinary citizens?” the Chief Executive said. “That criminal plot should not be tolerated. I will resist it.”

While he did not mention Duterte in his nearly three-minute recorded statement, Marcos made references to some of the controversies tied to her family.

“Ang katotohanan ay hindi dapat i-tokhang (The truth should not be eliminated),” Marcos said, using a term that has become synonymous with the killing of drug suspects in the previous administration’s controversial war on drugs that had left more than 6,000 killed, based on official data.

“Imbes na deretsahang sagot, nililihis pa sa kwentong chicheria (Instead of giving a direct answer, they mislead by spinning silly tales),” Marcos said, apparently taunting Duterte for using the name of popular snack brands as fictitious signatories to receipts submitted by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to state auditors.

“I want this issue to end through a peaceful way that will lead us to the truth,” he added.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives unanimously passed yesterday Resolution No. 2092, expressing its “unwavering and unqualified support and solidarity” for the Marcos administration and for Speaker Martin Romualdez “in the face of serious and dangerous remarks and defiant acts that threaten the very