Mainstream opposition may have more in common with administration than with Dutertes — expert | ABS-CBN
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Mainstream opposition may have more in common with administration than with Dutertes — expert
Mainstream opposition may have more in common with administration than with Dutertes — expert
ABS-CBN News
Published Jun 23, 2024 11:36 AM PHT
MANILA — A broad united opposition is unlikely in the 2025 elections, a political science professor said Sunday, saying the traditional political opposition seems to have more in common with the administration.
MANILA — A broad united opposition is unlikely in the 2025 elections, a political science professor said Sunday, saying the traditional political opposition seems to have more in common with the administration.
Vice President Sara Duterte left the Cabinet of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. this week, prompting her father’s former spokesman Harry Roque to label her the “leader of the opposition”, a title that groups in the political opposition have rejected.
Vice President Sara Duterte left the Cabinet of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. this week, prompting her father’s former spokesman Harry Roque to label her the “leader of the opposition”, a title that groups in the political opposition have rejected.
“Hindi mauulit yung Genuine Opposition nung 2007 dahil ang may common denominator ay hindi yung dalawang bloke ng opposition,” De La Salle University professor Julio Teehankee, whose specializations include comparative and party politics, said on Teleradyo Serbisyo.
“Hindi mauulit yung Genuine Opposition nung 2007 dahil ang may common denominator ay hindi yung dalawang bloke ng opposition,” De La Salle University professor Julio Teehankee, whose specializations include comparative and party politics, said on Teleradyo Serbisyo.
The Genuine Opposition was a multi-party coalition that included the Liberal Party and Kilusang Bagong Lipunan formed in opposition to the administration slate of then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The coalition won seven of 12 seats contested in the 2007 midterm elections.
The Genuine Opposition was a multi-party coalition that included the Liberal Party and Kilusang Bagong Lipunan formed in opposition to the administration slate of then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The coalition won seven of 12 seats contested in the 2007 midterm elections.
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“In terms of narrative and yung emerging policy differences or similarities mas may common ground ironically ang BBM administration at ‘yung traditional mainstream opposition,” he said.
“In terms of narrative and yung emerging policy differences or similarities mas may common ground ironically ang BBM administration at ‘yung traditional mainstream opposition,” he said.
He said common ground can be found in foreign policy — on the West Philippine Sea and on the International Criminal Court investigation into the Duterte administration’s war on drugs — that former President Rodrigo Duterte has criticized.
He said common ground can be found in foreign policy — on the West Philippine Sea and on the International Criminal Court investigation into the Duterte administration’s war on drugs — that former President Rodrigo Duterte has criticized.
"In terms of these two very important issues, mas may common denominator ang tradiitonal mainstream opposition at ang BBM administration," Teehankee said, adding that a potential alliance would "of course, [be] for their own political interests."
"In terms of these two very important issues, mas may common denominator ang tradiitonal mainstream opposition at ang BBM administration," Teehankee said, adding that a potential alliance would "of course, [be] for their own political interests."
Political parties in the Philippines historically see a rise and fall in membership depending on who the sitting president is.
Political parties in the Philippines historically see a rise and fall in membership depending on who the sitting president is.
Who are in the traditional opposition?
The traditional mainstream opposition has, since 2016, included the Liberal Party as well as Akbayan Party.
The traditional mainstream opposition has, since 2016, included the Liberal Party as well as Akbayan Party.
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The Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives — ACT Teachers, Gabriela and Kabataan party-lists have one seat each — and the national democratic activist movement is a separate opposition bloc that has, at times, worked with traditional political parties.
The Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives — ACT Teachers, Gabriela and Kabataan party-lists have one seat each — and the national democratic activist movement is a separate opposition bloc that has, at times, worked with traditional political parties.
The Dutertes and their political allies have been critical of the Marcos administration’s policy in the West Philippine Sea.
The Dutertes and their political allies have been critical of the Marcos administration’s policy in the West Philippine Sea.
Duterte-led Partido Demoktratiko Pilipino, meanwhile, includes “[maintaining] the country’s independence from the interference of the International Criminal Court” in its party platform.
Duterte-led Partido Demoktratiko Pilipino, meanwhile, includes “[maintaining] the country’s independence from the interference of the International Criminal Court” in its party platform.
Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, a PDP member and who is expected to run for reelection, said it is still unclear where he and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go will stand in the 2025 elections since the administration Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas may already have identified its potential candidates.
Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, a PDP member and who is expected to run for reelection, said it is still unclear where he and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go will stand in the 2025 elections since the administration Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas may already have identified its potential candidates.
“Ang standing opposition ngayon ay Liberal Party, hindi naman kami acceptable doon,” he said.
“Ang standing opposition ngayon ay Liberal Party, hindi naman kami acceptable doon,” he said.
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“Guerrilla warfare lang kami rito,” he also said.
“Guerrilla warfare lang kami rito,” he also said.
Human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, in a separate interview did not rule out having common points with the administration.
Human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, in a separate interview did not rule out having common points with the administration.
“We base our decisions on issues on what we believe is right. Kung sakaling ganoon din ang maging posisyon ng admin, wala sa control namin yun, we would welcome it,” Diokno of the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, said.
“We base our decisions on issues on what we believe is right. Kung sakaling ganoon din ang maging posisyon ng admin, wala sa control namin yun, we would welcome it,” Diokno of the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, said.
He has previously said that the Marcos family and their cronies still have to be held accountable for abuses and corruption during the dictatorship of the sitting president's father.
He has previously said that the Marcos family and their cronies still have to be held accountable for abuses and corruption during the dictatorship of the sitting president's father.
Teehankee added there is little value in debating on who is the real opposition since that could range from being opposed to the incumbent to having “very strong differences in policy, programs and even ideologies.” — Jonathan de Santos, ABS-CBN News
Teehankee added there is little value in debating on who is the real opposition since that could range from being opposed to the incumbent to having “very strong differences in policy, programs and even ideologies.” — Jonathan de Santos, ABS-CBN News
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