At his televised talk to the nation Thursday night, President Duterte spoke in blind-item presidential aspirant, BBM, as “taking cocaine” and asked “what has he done for the country.” This seems to negate whatever impression of his closeness to the Marcos family as he claimed to the people.
During the talk last night with the nation, President Duterte hurled more mud at presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (without directly naming him) about “a politician who comes from a very rich family but is taking cocaine. And he followed this up with the question “what has he done for the country anyway?”
Early on, Duterte has declared how close he is to the late strongman, Ferdinand Marcos and the family but now, Duterte is reeking with vile and disgust at the son, who he seems to blame for luring his daughter, Sara, into being his partner in next year’s national election.
He earlier called BBM (an acronym Marcos is fondly referred to by his supporters) and another presidential aspirant, Senator Manny Pacquiao for being supporters of communists. But Duterte has also dished dirt on Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso, another presidential aspirant using the same forum (his talk with the nation) showing Moreno’s photo in a sexy swim wear.
Last night’s televised monologue of the president was widely circulated and commented on in social media, with many guessing it to be Marcos and his supporters (nee DDS) defending him by saying “he did not name Bongbong” and that the lies are being peddled by the dilawans (supporters of traditional politicians and society’s elite).
Considering that five of six commissioners of the Commission on Election are appointees of Duterte, BBM could lose the battle when the poll body rules in favor of petitions filed against him. The petitions are for the cancellation of his certificate of candidacy for president.
Popularity
Last October 24, the Marcos camp claimed that his lead in the third quarter presidential survey by PUBLiCUS Asia validated the results of the series of Kalye survey conducted in the first two weeks of October. Before Sara Duterte-Carpio decided to just run for vice president, she had the persistent lead over all presidential candidates.
The survey released by PUBLiCUS Asia on October 22 showed the big lead of Marcos who is running under the Partido Federal. He had 40 percent of the votes from respondents and 55.7 percent for Luzon and 49.3 percent in Mindanao.
The results for the four others were: Pacquiao, 125; Lacson, 89; and Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, 23.
Duterte using all his powers
Two days ago, President Duterte hosted a dinner for all congressmen across political parties. Noticeably absent was Lakas-CMD president and House Majority leader Martin Romualdez, who made the first announcement of Sara’s choosing Lakas for her vice- presidential run.
Around 100 lawmakers were present and Duterte endorsed his protége and long-time aide, Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go for president and his daughter Sara for vice president. With the House adjourning early at 3 p.m., the lawmakers were in Palace grounds by 4 p.m. for the necessary tests and answer questionnaires. The dinner began at 7 and ended at 9 p.m.
At the start of Duterte's speech, he even made a disclaimer that the dinner had "no political agenda," according to House Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero.
He asked for their support for him (as senator), Bong Go (president and Sara (for vice president).
Clearly, he would like to stay in power (regardless of position) to shield himself from suits here and abroad. The law only grants a sitting senator the privilege from arrest while Congress is in session.
Duterte’s continued influence in policy -making
Fitch Solutions Country Risk & Industry Research told Reuters earlier that “the confirmation of presidential candidacies has led us to believe that the prospects for policy continuity remain relatively high, with the main presidential candidates broadly offering continuity and the Dutertes likely to exert continued influence on policy- making.
Among the presidential candidates, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go is expected to offer the most policy continuity, with Fitch Solutions citing his ties to Duterte and his political party PDP-Laban.
“As a former close aide to Duterte during his presidency, Bong Go will likely press ahead with key policies such as Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure initiative and improving ties with China,” the think tank said.
Fitch Solutions noted that former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. favors Duterte’s “strongman” strategy and supports the rule of his father, late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos. This could pose risks of more authoritarianism, it said.
“Bongbong appears to be one of the few candidates to agree with Duterte’s policy of engagement with Beijing, potentially offering the most policy continuity out of the announced candidates. Bongbong has given his support to Sara Duterte’s vice-presidential bid, which could lead to a strong joint campaign platform,” Fitch Solutions said.
Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio will run for vice-president in alliance with Marcos.
Fitch Solutions said Go and Marcos are both likely to favor “Beijing-friendly postures,” but they may face opposition from both the military and the public.
“While Sara is not running for presidency, her vice-presidential bid, along with Rodrigo’s senatorial bid, was in line with our view that the Dutertes would seek to retain influential positions within Philippine politics,” Fitch Solutions said, adding the Duterte family should “perform well” in May.
Tags: #Duterte, #BBM, #cocaineuse, #politics