Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has dismissed recent calls for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s resignation as pointless, following chants from Duterte supporters in the Netherlands urging the President to step down.
“Useless ‘yan… Hindi ‘yan bababa,” Dela Rosa told said in a GMA News Online report, expressing doubt that Marcos would heed such calls. He also questioned whether the President would even pay attention to the chants.
The calls were made during a gathering in The Hague where supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte—currently facing charges before the International Criminal Court—shouted “Marcos resign!”
Vice President Sara Duterte, who was present at the event, distanced herself from the chant, saying, “Kayo ang nagsabi niyan, hindi ako ah,” but also questioned Marcos’ leadership, asking, “Bakit ba kailangan mag-resign? Dahil hindi mo pinapakita sa taumbayan na maayos kang mag-isip at kaya mong mamuno.”
Meanwhile, Malacañang responded by questioning who would benefit if the President were to step down. “Kung pinagre-resign po nila ang Pangulo, sino ba ang makikinabang?” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said.
Duterte is wanted by the ICC over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the war on drugs during his presidency. The court cited thousands of deaths carried out by police and vigilante groups allegedly under his leadership. Government figures list over 6,200 killed in operations from 2016 to 2021, though rights groups claim the actual number could be as high as 30,000.
