PGMA’s Statement on the Various Calls for Her Resignation

Mga minamahal kong kababayan.

This is a democracy that’s held together by the Constitution and the rule of law. The Philippines has fallen into a dangerous pattern where the answer to every crisis is to subvert due process rather than work within the system. This must stop.

I was duly elected to uphold the Constitution and ensure that the institutions of the nation were strengthened, not weakened. With all due respect to former president Aquino and others, I say that their actions caused deep and grievous harm to the nation because they undermine our democratic principles and the very foundation of our Constitution. Once again, we’re subverting the rule of law and perpetuating a system that’s broken and will remain broken until fundamental reforms are put in place.

As former president Aquino is well aware, the President is charged by the nation to defend our hard-won democracy at all costs. To those who’ve forgotten this, I say, take your grievances to Congress where I’m very willing to submit to due process as called for by our Constitution.

In the meantime, I will continue to focus on the people’s business, getting our economy moving and creating better quality of life for our people.

I will announce a new Cabinet within the next couple of days. This team will be made up of individuals whose commitment to our nation and to democratic principles will be beyond doubt.

This is the team that will work with me to move away from political bickering to doing what the people of the Philippines expect their leaders to do and that is get our economy moving and ensure the delivery of essential services such as health care, education and security to all parts of the country.

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.