Malacañang strongly denied allegations that it is attempting to restrict freedom of speech ahead of planned nationwide demonstrations on September 21, challenging critics who questioned government appeals for orderly and peaceful rallies.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro pushed back against claims that official reminders to preserve public order amounted to state interference, reiterating that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. fully respects citizens’ constitutional rights to assemble and express grievances.
Addressing assertions that the administration was dictating how demonstrations should be conducted, Castro questioned the motives of critics challenging the call for peace.
“Unang-una hindi po tayo nagdidikta, ang pagiging peaceful ito po ay nasa batas natin. Gusto po ba nila maging marahas, gagawin po ba nila ang kanilang pagpoprotesta nang may karahasan? Iyan ay bawal sa batas,” Castro emphasized Thursday. (First of all, we are not dictating anything; the requirement for peaceful conduct is enshrined in our laws. Do they intend to be violent? Do they plan to stage their protest with violence? That is against the law.)
She firmly rejected claims that government guidelines constitute suppression.
“Hindi po pagdidikta ang sinasabi nating gawing peaceful ang kanilang pagpoprotesta, hindi nga po sila pinagbabawalan. Pero para sabihing nagdidikta po tayo, iyan po ay malaking kasinungalingan,” she added. (Asking them to keep their protest peaceful is not dictating—they are not even being prohibited from protesting. But to claim that we are dictating to them, that is a huge lie.)
Castro noted that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has already finalized security protocols and deployment plans to safeguard protesters while maintaining public order across key rally sites.
The scheduled mass actions on September 21, which coincide with the 54th anniversary of the 1972 Martial Law declaration, are expected to draw various activist, religious, and civic organizations mobilizing against government corruption and alleged anomalies in flood-control projects.