Following criticism from Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, the Palace on Thursday clarified that its earlier statement was not aimed at any specific lawmaker, emphasizing it was a general appeal for cooperation and support for the administration’s programs.

“With all due respect to Senator Bato Dela Rosa, ‘batu-bato sa langit, ang tamaan ay huwag magalit," responded Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro to the senator’s accusation that the Marcos administration was “threatening” lawmakers.

Castro stressed that the administration did not target any individual, saying the call was simply to discourage obstructionism that could derail the progress of government projects and initiatives.

"Ang nais po natin sa taumbayan ay huwag maging obstructionist para magtuluy-tuloy po ang magagandang proyekto at programa ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon. Wala po tayong trineten (threatened), wala po tayong trineten na senador (What we are asking from the public is not to be obstructionist, so that the good projects and programs of the President and the administration can continue. We did not threaten anyone — no senator was threatened)," she said.

In a television interview, Dela Rosa reacted to Castro's remark that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. welcomes "legitimate oppositionists" in the government but will confront "obstructionists" following the completion of the 2025 elections.

"Kung gusto nila ng magandang samahan, magandang cooperation, do not start with warning or threatening the senators. You'd better advise her. Kung gusto nila ng magandang tulungan, mag-cooperate tayo para sa ikagaganda ng bansa, do not start it with a warning (If they want good camaraderie and cooperation, do not start with a warning or threatening the senators. You'd better advise her. If they want us to help each other, let's cooperate for the good of our country. Do not start it with a warning," the senator said.

During the briefing, Castro said Dela Rosa should have heard the full statement, which might have changed his impression and response.

"Sana po ito ay napakinggan man lang sana niya iyong mga words na aking nasabi para siguro po maiiba ang kaniyang impresyon at ang kaniyang tugon. Kung narinig niya iyong buo kung sinabi, ang sabi natin, ang mga lehitimong oppositionists ay welcome dahil kailangan po iyan sa isang demokratikong bayan (I hope he at least heard the words I said, as it might have changed his impression and response. If he had heard the full statement, he would have understood that we welcome legitimate opposition, as it is necessary in a democratic country)," Castro said.

The Palace press officer reiterated the administration's commitment to dialogue and cooperation, but emphasized that disruptive political behavior should not stand in the way of national development.

"Ang atin lamang hahadlangan ay iyong mga obstructionists na walang ginawa kung hindi manira at kahit maganda ang proyekto ay hahadlangan. At hindi po iyan magiging maganda para sa bansa at para sa taumbayan (What we will oppose are the obstructionists who do nothing but destroy and hinder even good projects. This will not be beneficial for the country and the people)," she said.

Further, Castro emphasized that the administration’s stance is not against the opposition but against obstructionists who deliberately seek to undermine government efforts.

She further noted that, in President Marcos’ view, political affiliations such as Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas or PDP-Laban are no longer relevant now that the midterm elections are over.

According to Castro, those elected to office should set aside political divisions and work together in unity.

"Sa paningin po ng Pangulo, wala na pong Alyansa, wala pong PDP, walang anumang kulay ng pulitika, dapat lahat po ng nahalal ay magkaisa-isa, magkaroon po ng ko (In the eyes of the President, there is no more Alyansa, no PDP, no political colors. All those elected should come together and collaborate for the good of the country)," she said.

Castro then called on public officials and critics to move beyond political bickering, adding that constant politicking and intrigue hinder the government’s ability to act and make progress.