They may disagree on some issues but President Duterte still recognizes former President Fidel V. Ramos as a “big brother” of the Filipino nation, according to a Palace official.
Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag said they respect the sentiments raised by Ramos on the sudden burial of the late President Marcos at the heroes’ cemetery as well as Duterte’s supposed lackluster participation in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events in Peru.
“We respect the opinion of former President Ramos but the President’s position is very clear,” Banaag said in Palace news conference, reacting to Ramos’ opposition to the sudden burial of Marcos last Friday.
“The Supreme Court ruled on the basis of its appreciation of the legal aspect of the case, not on whether martial law led to human rights violations or some other political issue,” she added about the Marcos interment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
On Ramos’ rebuke of the President’s decision to skip the APEC gala dinner and family photo, Banaag said Duterte’s non-attendance to these events should “not be a barometer to measure whether the participation of the Philippines is successful or not.”
When asked if the President would hold another meeting with Ramos to discuss issues, Banaag said: “Perhaps, perhaps but we don’t know yet.”
“In fairness to former President Ramos, he’s been clear that there are some issues he might not agree to the decision of the President but he’s still part of the, he’s one big brother,” she added.
Earlier, Ramos said the sudden burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani was a “step backwards” for the Duterte administration since it was supposedly losing support and allies. He denounced the apparent “connivance” among the Marcos family, some local police and military officials on the “sneaky” burial of the former strongman last Friday.
Ramos, likewise, criticized the President’s absence in two APEC events in Peru, saying it was a missed opportunity to strengthen ties with other Pacific Rim leaders. He claimed that illness was an unacceptable alibi to skip such event.
Duterte earlier said he decided to skip the two events because was suffering from jet lag.
The post FVR, Still Duterte’s ‘Big Brother’ appeared first on Manila Bulletin.
Share It To Your Friends!
Loading...