Castro to Dela Rosa: Don’t be offended by general statement

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro and Senator Ronald dela Rosa — File photos

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald dela Rosa is mistaken in thinking that he and his allies are being “threatened” by the Palace when it said that it will push back against “obstructionists” posing as “legitimate oppositionists,” a Malacañang official said Friday.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro made the pronouncement in response to Dela Rosa, who accused her of “warning” and “threatening” senators when she previously stated that the Palace is ready to work with members of the “legitimate opposition,” but not “obstructionists.”

READ: Palace distinguishes between ‘legit’ and ‘obstructionist’ opposition

In a Palace press conference, Castro cited a Filipino proverb, “Bato-bato sa langit, ang tamaan ay huwag magalit,” which roughly translates to “when rocks fall from the sky, you shouldn’t be angry if you get hit.” The proverb advises people not to take things personally when a statement might be a general observation.

Dela Rosa is known by his nickname “Bato” or rock.

“With all due respect to Senator Bato dela Rosa… First of all, we are not naming anyone in particular; this is a general statement,” Castro said.

“We did not threaten anyone — we did not threaten any senator. I just hope he actually listened to the words I said, so perhaps his impression and response would have been different,” she added.

Castro then reiterated that the Palace welcomes legitimate oppositionists, not obstructionists “who do nothing but malign and obstruct government projects even if they are beneficial.”

It was on Wednesday when Dela Rosa, in an interview with NewsWatch, took Castro’s pronouncement to heart.

“If they want a good relationship and proper cooperation, they should not start by warning or threatening the senators. They better advise her instead,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

All this developed after Vice President Sara Duterte recently vowed to build a “powerful” opposition against the current administration. /das