HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Janette L. Garin of Iloilo on Friday dismissed speculations that the Marcos administration is planning to impose martial law in response to scattered protests by allies of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, calling it “big fake news.”
At the same time, she assured the public that the May 12 elections would push through since President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. is campaigning for his senatorial candidates.
“Napakalayo sa katotohanan nung fake news na magkaka-martial law,” Garin told a news conference.
“Kapag martial law ka, parang lahat ng pinaghirapan ng Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, kaakibat na ‘yung mga nakaraang administrasyon, ay itatapon lamang. So napakalaking fake news nito,” she said.
“At saka isa pa, eh bakit nakikita naman todo ‘yung ikot ng Pangulo para mangampanya sa eleksyon? Kasi kung magde-declare yan ng martial law wala na mag-eleksyon. So it’s really untenable, parang malayong-malayo,” she said.
Garin pointed out that the Marcos administration is busy helping the people cope with high consumer prices.
“Now, kung magma-martial law, napakabaliktad nun, napakataliwas niyan dun sa ginagawa ng administrasyon ngayon. Kasi nakikita naman na todo ‘yung galaw para pabagsakin ‘yung presyo ng pagkain. Todo ang galaw para pababain ‘yung ating inflation. Todo ang galaw para gumalaw, matulungan ‘yung mga maliliit na negosyante,” she stressed.
“And that is actually all these directions are geared towards pushing for a better and more robust economy,” she added.
She said she had a similar reaction to another fake news peddled by former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea — that the health concerns of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte were not taken care of.
“Ganun din ‘yung reaksyon ko na malayong-malayo nang makita ko nagsasalita si former executive secretary nung sinabi niya na si presidente (Duterte), dineprive ng kanyang mga gamot, ng healthcare, mahinang-mahina at hindi binigyan ng karapatan na ipadala sa ospital,” she said.
She warned that fake news peddling might even lead to violence.
“‘Yung naging reaksyon ko dun, paano ‘yung mga taong hindi nakakaintidi, baka maniwala, baka magkasakitan, baka may mga gawin…dahil nga sa pinanggalingang fake news? Who will be accountable, will the former executive secretary be accountable?” Garin asked.
“Kunyari, meron diyang isang avid supporter ni Pangulong Duterte, biglang pag nakakita ng mga pulis, nakakita ng opisyal, pag saktan niya, kasi ano eh parang trinigger mo eh?” she said.
She said the claim that Duterte’s health issues were not addressed was untrue, and that the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has detained the former president, is taking care of him.
“And ‘yun naman pala, hindi naman totoo. Kasi uulitin nga natin, sa pagkakaintindi ko, in the history of the ICC they are straight forward. Hindi sila nang-aapi, like you will be treated well. Kaya lang, siyempre may proceso,” she said.
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