‘Utang na loob’ shouldn’t interfere with upholding law – Palace

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and former president Rodrigo Duterte. (PCO)

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Malacañang on Monday said personal debts of gratitude or “utang na loob” should not interfere with upholding laws and international commitments.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro made the remark after Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte accused President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of ingratitude following the arrest of his father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Castro said the Marcos family has already expressed their appreciation in 2016 for the burial of their patriarch, the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which was facilitated under Duterte’s presidency.

“As early as 2016, dati pa pong senador ang Pangulo ngayon, nagpasalamat na po… 2016 pa po sa Supreme Court na nagbigay ng desisyon na dapat ilibing ang kaniyang ama sa Libingan ng mga Bayani (As early as 2016, when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, then-Senator and now-President Marcos had already thanked Duterte),” Castro said during a press briefing.

She cited a statement from then-Senator Marcos: “We also would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte as his unwavering commitment to this issue sustained us these past several months. Our family will forever be thankful for this kind gesture.”
Castro asserted that while gratitude is important, it should not obstruct the implementation of justice and legal obligations.

“Pero ang pagtanaw po ng utang na loob ay hindi dapat madiskaril at hindi dapat magtraydor sa batas at sa hustisya (But gratitude should not derail or betray the law and justice),” she said.

Addressing concerns about potential unrest in Davao following Duterte’s arrest, Castro urged the public to remain calm and seek the truth.

“Ang Pangulo ay concerned po sa nangyayari sa Davao. Pero ang tangi lamang po nating hiling ay sana po ay maging mahinahon at alamin po ang katotohanan – iyon lamang po (The President is concerned about what is happening in Davao. But we only wish for people to be calm and seek the truth. That’s it),” Castro said.

She also denied claims that authorities were planning to raid Duterte’s residence, labeling them as potential “fake news” that could cause unnecessary alarm among Davao residents.

On the issue of free speech and criticism of the President, Castro said Marcos is not “onion-skinned” but warned that inciting public unrest could cross the line into sedition.

“The president is not onion-skinned,” she said. “But when there is inciting to sedition… then we have to step up.”

“Usually po, hindi po siya nadadala ng ganiyan pero kapag po nandoon na po iyong elemento ng (he is not easily offended but if there is an element) inciting to sedition which is of course without any tumultuous uprising but they are encouraging people to sow hatred to the government, to the President then we have to step up,” Castro added.