No Legal Basis for Marcos Resignation Calls, Palace Says

Calls for President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to resign have no legal basis and are “absolutely delusional,” the Palace said on Tuesday amid renewed criticism from Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s camp. Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said Mr. Marcos’ remark during a press briefing over the weekend that he could not force anyone to love him referred to Ms. Duterte’s personal anger toward him, not broader accusations against his administration. “Definitely, the demand for the President to resign without any legal basis and in order to put in place the principal of the spokesperson is definitely, absolutely delusional,” Ms. Castro told reporters. Her remarks referred to comments by newly appointed vice-presidential spokesperson Salvador Paolo A. Panelo, Jr. who said Mr. Marcos was “out of touch with reality and not fit for office” after Mr. Marcos addressed accusations of corruption and government abuses made by Ms. Duterte. Mr. Marcos and Ms. Duterte were elected to lead the country until 2028 under the now-defunct UniTeam alliance, but their political relationship deteriorated into an open rift by 2024. Ms. Castro said leadership requires “the ability, sufficient knowledge and preparedness” to handle major national issues. “Especially strategic initiatives such as the West Philippine Sea and Pax Silica,” she said. “It is easy to accuse, it is easy to say that a President is doing nothing because the person saying this has no work to do, so they do not see how heavy the President’s responsibilities are and how the President works,” she added. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking