House pledges loyalty to Marcos amid political turmoil

Administration allies in the House of Representatives assured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of their "loyalty" and "unwavering commitment" to obstruct any attempts to destabilize the government amid the continuing political turmoil.

In a manifesto, Speaker Martin Romualdez and House leaders from various prominent political coalitions affirmed that they "stand in solidarity" with Marcos, pledging to protect him "at all costs" to better fulfill his mandate in light of the recent threat against his life coming from the mouth of no less than Vice President Sara Duterte.

"Any threat against the President is a threat against the Republic. We shall remain vigilant and resolute in ensuring his safety and the stability of his administration," the manifesto reads.

In late November, Duterte publicly announced that she had already instructed someone to assassinate the President, First Lady Liza Marcos, and Romualdez if the supposed plot against her succeeded amid what she called the continuing political attacks against her by administration allies.

The Department of Justice said she could face complaints for libel, defamation, and grave threat, although Duterte contended that her statement was just “maliciously taken out of logical context.”

Moreover, the manifesto stated that the House would "categorically condemn any attempts to destabilize the government or subvert the administration’s programs aimed at advancing national progress."

"As mandated by the Constitution, we commit to mobilizing all legislative resources to safeguard the Republic against threats to its independence, security, and peace," the document reads.

To recall, the VP's father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, had insinuated retracting the military's support from the current admin led by a “drug addict."

Although the former chief executive did not explicitly call for a coup, he challenged the Armed Forces of the Philippines to reconsider supporting the “fractured” government of his successor, whom he accused of smoking “marijuana.”

The DoJ called Duterte's remarks "bordering on sedition," which necessitates legal action.

The senior Duterte has repeatedly thrown shade at Marcos, calling him "bangag" and "addict," whose name, he alleged, was on the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency's drug watch list.

Marcos, however, laughed it off, suggesting that such actions may have resulted from Duterte’s use of fentanyl.

The VP and the former president were both the subject of investigation, the clearest indication of strained relations and a broken alliance between the Marcoses.

Malacañang had earlier confirmed that members of the House and the President had a meeting, but House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability Chairperson Joel Chua denied that there was a discussion of impeachment against the VP.

Over 200 House members were present during the "fellowship," according to Chua.

Marcos previously confirmed that he requested his allies in the House to halt any efforts to remove the VP from office.

VP Duterte faces two impeachment complaints filed on nearly consecutive days, accusing her of graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust, among others.