MANILA, Philippines – Amid a worsening rift between the Marcos and Duterte dynasties, 13 Philippine business and civic organizations issued a rare joint public statement on “upholding the rule of law.” 

“As organizations committed to the rule of law, we the undersigned organizations express profound concern over recent statements and actions that threaten the stability of our constitutional order and country,” the 13 organizations said on Friday, November 29. 

“The resolution of political disagreements must adhere to legal and democratic processes. Resorting to threats, incendiary rhetoric, or any form of violence has no place in a nation founded on the rule of law. To this end, we strongly urge all public officials and political leaders to demonstrate restraint, uphold the dignity of their offices, and prioritize the welfare of the Filipino people above political interests.” 

Vice President Duterte upped the ante in her rift with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, by saying last weekend she had contracted a hit man to kill the three in the event she was killed. She said it was not a joke. 

She has since argued that this was not an “actionable threat,” but the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation are taking her threats seriously by initiating criminal proceedings.

Among the 13 groups in the joint statement were business organizations such as the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) and the Makati Business Club (MBC), which include most of the country’s top CEOs.

The groups urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to “remain steadfast to their constitutional mandates,” following a call from former president Rodrigo Duterte for the military to intervene in light of a “fractured” government. 

“We call on the AFP and all institutions to remain steadfast to their constitutional mandates and to ensure that all their actions are grounded in the principles of legality, impartiality, and service to the nation. Deviations from their mandate will definitely erode confidence in our country’s business environment and worse, it could endanger the very foundations of our democratic society,” they said. 

The groups also called on Congress to conduct its investigations into big-ticket controversies “with impartiality.” A quad committee in the House of Representatives is investigating the drug war, extrajudicial killings, and other controversies during the Rodrigo Duterte presidency. The House committee on good government is probing Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential and intelligence funds.

“Ensuring public trust requires investigations to be conducted fairly, transparently, decently, and free from political biases and influence. Accountability must be pursued within the bounds of due process, ensuring that justice is not only done but is seen to be done,” they said. 

“In these challenging times, we the undersigned organizations call on our people to remain vigilant and steadfast in upholding the rule of law amidst political tensions. The strength of our institutions and the resilience of our democracy depend on our collective resolve to remain loyal to the Constitution and reject efforts to erode public trust in good governance.”

The 13 signatories to the joint statement are: 

• Justice Reform Initiative (JRI)
• Ateneo de Manila Law Alumni Association
• Energy Lawyers Association of the Philippines (ELAP)
• Filipina CEO Circle (FCC)
• Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX)
• Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA)
• Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD)
• Integrity Initiative, Inc.
• Makati Business Club (MBC)
• Management Association of the Philippines (MAP)
• Philippine Women’s Economic Network (PHILWEN)
• Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines (SharePHIL)
• The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS)

Last Wednesday, the Marcos administration’s economic managers also issued a statement on the worsening leadership rift, saying the “transformation of the economy will not be set back by political challenges.” 

The joint statement was issued by Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and National Economic and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. 

“The economic managers note that the Philippine economy has proven time and again its resilience against both domestic and external challenges, whether arising from natural disasters, geopolitical risks, election cycle tensions, global or regional financial crises, supply chain gaps abroad, cybercriminal activities, or other crises. Hence, it is business as usual for the Philippine government,” they said.

– Rappler.com