Marcos Jr. takes jabs at Duterte in pitch for admin senatorial bets

Pia Gutierrez

ABS-CBN News

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday took jabs against his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, as he called for voters&#x27; support for the administration’s senatorial bets during the first day of the campaign period of the May 2025 midterm elections.In his speech during the inaugural campaign rally of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, the President highlighted his candidates’ track record for public service as experienced lawmakers, local government officials, and members of his Cabinet.“Nagtataka nga ako parang ‘yung mga iba na naging kandidato eh nag-deliver lang yata ng suka eh nabigyan na ng certificate of candidacy dahil walang ikukumpara sa ating mga kandidato. Kung ihahambing natin sa mga napulot nila, ang ticket natin mula sa Senado hanggang Sangguniang Bayan ay mga lider na subok sa serbisyo, magandang record na puwedeng ipagmalaki kahit kanino,” Marcos Jr. said.He also said that none of the administration’s candidates are currently facing controversies and allegations of human rights violations under the bloody drug war, or had been accused of corruption and negligence while the country was in the middle of the pandemic. He also noted that no one in their slate has expressed support for China’s illegal incursions and aggresive actions against Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea.“Tingnan niyo po ang record ng ating mga kandidato. Wala sa kanila ang may bahid ng dugo dahil sa tokhang. Wala sa kanila ang kasabwat sa pagbulsa ng sako-sakong pera, pinagsamantalahan ang krisis ng pandemya, pinabayaan ang ating mga kababayan na magkasakit at mamatay,” Marcos Jr. said.“Wala sa kanila ang mga pumapalakpak sa Tsina at natutuwa pa kapag tayo ay binobomba ng tubig, tinatamaan ang ating mga Coast Guard, hinaharang ang ating mga mangingisda, ninanakaw ang kanilang huli, at bukod pa roon ay inaagaw pa ang mga isla natin para maging bahagi ng kanilang bansa,” he added.He also said that not one of the senatorial candidates of the coalition had shown blind loyalty to a &quot;false prophet&quot; currently facing charges for abusing women and children, nor did they had anything to do with the operation of POGOs in the country which he says had been havens for crime and human trafficking. “Wala po sa kanila ang tilang sakristan ng isang bulaang propeta na nasasakdal dahil sa pagyurak sa ating kabataan at sa ating kababaihan. Wala sa kanila ang tagataguyod ng pugad ng krimen, ng sentro nang paglalapastangan ng mga kababaihan na mga POGO.”While he did not name names, the President’s statement was an obvious jab against his predecessor, former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently facing allegations such as crimes against humanity as well as criticisms for his pivot to China, allowing POGOs to operate in the country, and his support for his longtime friend, detained televangelist Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.Marcos Jr. likened the 2025 midterm polls as a crucial crossroads for the Filipino people, who decide whether the Philippines will go back to dealing with the failures of the previous administration by their choice of leaders.“Tayo ngayon ay nasa sangang-daan ng ating paglalakbay bilang isang malayang bansa, bilang isang sambayanang may dangal, may sipag, at may talino. Tayo ba ay papayag na babalik sa panahon gusto ng – kung kailan gusto ng ating mga liderato maging probinsya tayo ng Tsina?” Marcos Jr said.“Babalik ba tayo sa nakaraan na ibinubugaw ang ating bayan bilang isang sugalan ng mga dayuhan?Nais ba nating bumalik sa landas na umaapaw sa dugo ng mga inosenteng mga bata na inagaw ang kanilang – na inagaw sa kanilang mga ina, kinuha sa kanilang mga tahanan, at inagaw ang kanilang kinabukasan?” he continued.“Walang nagnanais na Pilipino na mabalik tayo sa ganyang klaseng pagpatakbo. Kaya naman, makakatiyak po kayo na kapag ang ating mga kandidato ay naluklok sa Senado at sila ay nagsimula ng kanilang trabaho, asahan po ninyo na sila po ay hindi makikihalo, hindi makikilahok sa ganyang bagay na ating iniwanan na at ayaw na ayaw balikan.”But House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro disagreed with Marcos Jr.’s statement that the administration’s Senate bets “have no blood on their hands” from tokhang.Castro said none of them filed a resolution condemning the drug war killings under the Duterte government and stayed silent.“Sa tingin ko, ire-examine ni BBM ‘yung kanyang mga kandidato, ‘yung mga track record kaugnay noong EJK at ‘yung isa pang issue na binabanggit,” the ACT Teachers party-list representative said.“Tiyak ako doon sa EJK, doon sa kanyang mga kandidato, ay tahimik, or pinabayaan lang si dating Presidente Duterte na gawin niya ‘yung kanyang programa, ‘yung madugong programa on EJK,” added Castro, who is running for senator.— With a report from Vivienne Gulla, ABS-CBN News<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mLXbeYVwBZk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

“Tingnan niyo po ang record ng ating mga kandidato. Wala sa kanila ang may bahid ng dugo dahil sa tokhang. Wala sa kanila ang kasabwat sa pagbulsa ng sako-sakong pera, pinagsamantalahan ang krisis ng pandemya, pinabayaan ang ating mga kababayan na magkasakit at mamatay,” Marcos Jr. said.

“Tingnan niyo po ang record ng ating mga kandidato. Wala sa kanila ang may bahid ng dugo dahil sa tokhang. Wala sa kanila ang kasabwat sa pagbulsa ng sako-sakong pera, pinagsamantalahan ang krisis ng pandemya, pinabayaan ang ating mga kababayan na magkasakit at mamatay,” Marcos Jr. said.

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Marcos Jr. takes jabs at Duterte in pitch for admin senatorial bets

Marcos Jr. takes jabs at Duterte in pitch for admin senatorial bets

Pia Gutierrez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 12, 2025 12:40 AM PHT

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Updated Feb 12, 2025 03:55 PM PHT

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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