Malacañang says EDSA rally poses no threat to Marcos administration

Malacañang said the gathering at the EDSA People Power Monument does not pose a threat to the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., stressing that the President remains focused on governance while respecting the public's right to peaceful assembly.

Speaking during a Palace briefing, Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos is confident that his administration is acting in the public's interest.

“Wala pong nakikitang threat dahil alam naman po ng Pangulo na ang kanyang ginagawa ay para sa taumbayan. Kung meron lang pong ibang interes o interes ng ibang grupo, interes ng iilang tao, hindi po siya dapat maging hadlang sa pagpapatupad ng Pangulo at ng administrasyong ito ng batas,” Castro said.

She said the President continues to prioritize enforcing the law and implementing programs for the benefit of Filipinos despite the ongoing demonstration.

Around 10,000 protesters gathered Tuesday at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City, calling for accountability and transparency in government.

Castro said Marcos was informed of the gathering early Tuesday morning and instructed authorities to observe maximum tolerance while ensuring that the law is enforced if violations occur.

“Maximum tolerance ang dapat ipairal… Pero kung may lumalabag sa batas ay dapat din ipatupad ang batas,” she said.

According to Castro, the President has also been monitoring the security situation and the effects of the protest on commuters and motorists.

She said the administration believes the surprise gathering caused significant traffic congestion along EDSA, affecting members of the public who were not involved in the demonstration.

“Magkakaroon po ito ng impact sa bawat tao, sa bawat trabahador, sa bawat estudyante, sa bawat pasyente na nakasakay sa ambulansya na dadaan sana sa EDSA," she added.

Castro said these individuals had become "collateral damage" because of the protest.

“May mga taong hindi naman sangkot sa kanilang pagpoprotesta. Nagkakaroon lamang tayo ng mga collateral damage," she said.

She also reminded organizers that demonstrations using public roads should be coordinated with the government.

“Alam po natin kapag nagra-rally at gagamit po kayo ng kalsada ay dapat may permit. At hindi po ito dapat inililihim para naman po makapaghanda ang gobyerno," she said.

Castro said authorities would investigate any violations that may have been committed during the gathering.

“Kung meron tayong makikita ngayon na violation ng anumang batas, ito po ay iimbestigahan at kung kailangan managot… ay kailangan din po managot," she said.

She added that Marcos canceled his scheduled engagements on Tuesday morning so he could personally monitor the situation and its effects on the public.

“Kaya nga po ang Pangulo ay hindi na muna pumunta sa kanyang supposed-to-be event dahil mino-monitor niya kung ano ang maaaring maging kalagayan ng ating mga kababayan na naipit sa traffic dulot ng surprise rally na ito," she said.