Marcos Jr. to supporters: Exercise restraint

MANILA, Philippines — As the campaign period comes to its final stretch, presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. appealed to his supporters to “exercise restraint” in dealing with supporters of rival candidates.

“The election fever tends to make emotions run high. While we understand and appreciate the zeal of our supporters, we encourage everyone to exercise restraint especially when faced by supporters from rival candidates,” Marcos said in a press statement yesterday.

Last week, tension erupted at a high-end mall in Makati City when supporters of Marcos and his rival, Vice President Leni Robredo, crossed paths and figured in a shouting match.

“In choosing our next leaders we should not allow the divisive effects to harm one another. Rather we keep in mind that once the choice of the majority is made, we stop being adversaries and remember that we are compatriots under one flag,” Marcos said.

“Understand as well that there will be (those with) selfish interests who might agitate us in the hopes of fomenting violence or instability. We must resist such agitation, resist mistaking election rhetoric for personal attacks. They are temporary and we will be alright,” he added.

Meanwhile, as a Labor Day pledge, Marcos said he would prioritize the passage of a security of tenure law that would prohibit contractualization in the public sector if he is elected president on May 9.

Speaking before workers who are members of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Marcos said that his presidency will certify Security of Tenure Act as a priority bill.

The measure aims to amend the Labor Code to further protect workers’ rights by prohibiting labor-only contracting in the private sector.

“The Security of Tenure Bill, we hope to amend and rewrite. Let us fix [the current version of the bill] so that it can be finally enacted. Because if I would be lucky to be elected as president, I would immediately sign it as long as the version is good,” Marcos said partly in Filipino during a town hall meeting held at TUCP headquarters in Quezon City.