Halalan 2022: Is President Duterte giving way to Inday Sara? [That’s how it seems to me]

We all know why this happens as the PFP and CMD-Lakas have fielded their main candidates, which is Ferdinand Marcos “Bong Bong” Jr. as the Presidential Candidate and Sara Duterte Carpio as the Vice-Presidential Candidate. This was released during the weekend and some anticipation of a VP battle between father and daughter.

Now, today that’s dismissed. Again the PDP-Laban ticket gets altered, as Bong Go is the Presidential Candidate, because “Bato” Del Rosa withdraw from the race. We don’t know who will be the VP of the PDP-Laban anymore. Since the current President Rodrigo Duterte announced today that his standing as a Senatorial race in 2022.

Therefore, the current President isn’t only going down a peg, but his going to Congress. He will be one of the footsoldiers of the government and positive votes with the chamber. Duterte is downgrading his office and stance by a mile. He went from being a mayor for years in Davao City to become the President.

Now, he will be a Senator and running on a list. Where there is 12 seats to win and the most popular senators are the ones who is elected into it. He is risking becoming a side-show or a benign player in the game of politics. The reason for doing is to not compete directly with his daughter. That is what it looks like.

Since him standing as a Senator goes against the PDP-Laban resolution of the ticket of him as a VP and Bong Go as the Presidential candidate. Now, that is not worth the ink on the paper. The PDP-Laban party is clearly not as important as the future of the family. That is how this seems.

Yes, the President is showing that he won’t go hard on his daughter. He only questioned her aspiration, as he thought she should seek the office of President and not VP. The CMD-Lakas statement shows they are proud to her on the team. PFP was happy too. So, both parties of Arroyo and Marcos seems like winners. While the PDP-Laban is further weakened, because of family loyalty.

That is how an outsider looking in… make seems. It is all politics and Inday Sara has tried to pick the parties and “sponsors” to bring her nationally. That is how it seems here. While her father is stepping to a smaller role and hoping to get re-elected into prominence. He can live of his name and he shows was never retiring. Which he promised to do ahead of 2016 as well. So, saying so in 2021 was just buying time to configure the game-plan.

Rodrigo seems to be very favourable towards the daughter instead of his supposed new role or place. He might say it is differently and he has considered all avenues. However, we know he couldn’t rant or tarnish his own kin. We know he couldn’t ambush or abuse his platform to desecrate her. Neither could accept to be humiliated and mocked by his daughter either. That will not happen.

We are just seeing the President giving way to Inday Sara. That is very clear. There is no other way of seeing this… Since the President has kept the political dynasties close, except for a few chosen few. His kin seems to do the same. That’s why Inday is running on the same ticket as Marcos. That will be a hard bargain and making him “edible” for more people. While the son of the former dictator cannot run away from his antics and lack of care for the dictatorship that enriched his family. The plundering and the martial law, which caused the People Power and EDSA revolution. Therefore, she has to waver with this and being able to sell that… this is something I don’t understand that she’s willing to do and surely the promises have to vastly fortunate to her.

We are clearly seeing that the choices of Inday Sara is blocking the President moving forward. That is really clear and that’s how I am seeing this. I just wonder how the PDP-Laban will fill it’s ticket now and who will be the new unique character to run with Bong Go. Peace.

Halalan 2022: Duterte Versus Duterte?

Today, it was revealed that some of the “holding” candidates dropped out and the real candidacies got on paper. Some was anticipated … and this isn’t that shocking, as the candidates in question did a last minute step to go into the ring and backing down makes sense. We can maybe expect some more or just reveal the final tickets. However, today reveals a real unique case, which isn’t that usual or even common anywhere.

The PDP-Laban ticket is getting back to what the party already made a memo or a resolution earlier in the year. So, Ronald “Bato” Del Rosa have revoked his candidacy and withdraws as a Presidential Candidate. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Tesoro Go or “Bong Go” is becoming the Presidential Candidate. While the current President Rodrigo Duterte is running as the Vice-President in the up-coming elections.

This means the PDP-Laban will be going with the Bong Go – Duterte ticket. While the PDP-Laban made the changes and the President is scheduled to field his candidacy over the weekend. A family member made change on her own.

The PFP and Ferdinand Marcos “Bong” Junior presidency got an boost as Lakas CMD have declared Sara Duterte Carpio as the Vice President on the same ticket. This mean the son of the Marco’s dictatorship and Duterte’s daughter is running mates. Which in the end means that Rodrigo and Sara is going head-to-head for the office.

This means father and daughter will be competing for the same office. Sara have already been the Davao City Mayor just like her father was. They have both had this office and now she’s also seeking a high ranking official space. What is striking is that she joins on the Marcos ticket and will with this accept the plundering ways of that family.

Sara Duterte Carpio might get the finances and the benefits of the agreements ahead of the race. While the father has the big-name and recognition. Heck, the father might have more popularity and get more favourable headlines. She has to prove herself nationally and cannot just ride on her family name.

Inday Sara have to show herself and not think she can walk into this without any issues. First, she has to address the elephant in the room. As she’s just there because of her father. Secondly, she has to address and be able to articulate her support for Marcos. These two things are just the beginning… before even asking about policies, plans or even use her skills for the high ranking office.

It will be a weird race to see father and daughter battling out for the same office. Both racing to become the VP. They are both willing to fight for the same office. I wonder if Rodrigo will be as brutal and sincere in concern to his daughter? Will Rodrigo go as hard or be as blunt, as he is with any other competitor?

Will Sara throw her father under the bus and bury his achievements? Will she sound like an opposition candidate and answer back with a fierce tone?

Or will these two be a friendly faces and act like nothing. Because, these two are family and in the end… blood is thicker than water. Time will tell…

But seeing Duterte versus Duterte… that’s a mess and I wonder what is the plan behind this. Because, they are not the only candidates and the risks of doing this. They both might loose and some other catch more interest. There might be a will and a foresight to pick someone else.

Now we only have time and wisdom. What we do however see is how PDP-Laban and the Marcos is playing these games. This will become hectic and at some time or another. We can await a erratic and a thunderstorm coming to the press. As both Duterte’s have to get the upper-hand and someone will unleash their vicious side. I just anticipate that. Since they wont to win and I don’t think any of them will leave anything to chance. Peace.

Philippines: Partido Federal Ng Pilipinas (PFP) – Executive Committee – Resolution (13.11.2021)

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines: We Remember Falle Colleagues and our Vow to Assert Press Freedom (02.11.2021)

Kingdom of Cambodia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – Outcomes of the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) (27.10.2021)

Opinion: Isko Moreno lacks courage too

You cannot blame a person for accepting the money due to the hardships of life today. But the Filipino is intelligent. They know who is the leader who truly cares for them and who are the fake ones. Politicians cannot underestimate human understanding. The Filipino is intelligent”Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso (Gabriel Pabico Lalu – ‘Moreno: Money can’t sway Filipino voters, but can’t blame them if they take it’ 27.10.2021, Philippine Daily Inquirer).

Yesterday, we saw that the Liberal Party Presidential Candidate Leni Robredo didn’t go ahead and settle the score of bribing voters. Now, the Manila Mayor and Aksyon Demokratiko Presidential Candidate Isko Moreno is no difference.

It is a reason why its a battle of mediocrity. Especially, when these supposed to be good candidates are selling themselves so cheap. Yes, Pacquiao is doing his bidding and ”Bong Bong Marcos” is trailing on the end in concerns with the bribery, which is currently going on. Yes, we should expect differently from people who wants to stand-out and be different then the current regime.

Isko Moreno clearly is a set-for-life politician when he speaks like this. His career as a actor is long gone. When his trading waters like this. It is trying to be bright, but still selling himself short. Instead of taking the easy stance, as everyone should. He deflects and hope nobody gets concerned.

How can you expect to fight corruption, graft and plundering cases? When you accept a informal bribery in the midst of campaigning? Why would we believe you then? When you cannot do it now ahead of the highest office?

Voting bribery and the means to an end. Only shows the willingness of politicians to misuse their office and their finances for personal gains. They are willing to trade away all policies and standing for a quick trade-off. Where they hope they can give an incentive to secure another term or get into office. It is not noble or righteous. Just a breach of contract between the citizens and their representatives. Which is why it should be easy to blatantly state: “It is wrong and nobody should do it”.

Alas, the politicians and the Presidential Candidates know the money is good for the citizens. Who is getting additional funds in the troubling times. Alas, the citizen is getting a small portion of the vast funds some people have access too. However, it is not for long and only for one cause. It is not like these funds will be open or could be applied through government schemes. No, these funds are just for one purpose and that is to secure an office. Therefore, the means to an end is more important than actually doing what is right.

Isko Moreno and Robredo could have stood for something. They could have shown some courage and character. Instead, this mediocre response and willingness to bend… is just disgusting. Your either for a practice or against it. It is either illegal or it’s justified. The bribes cannot be seen as both. That is just how the world works and the same should be for these candidates too.

Isko Moreno just show his cards and his ways. Not that I have faith in him either. His the next sort of Duterte’esque politician. He just wants to prolong the government programs and call it a day. Isko Moreno isn’t a game-changer and that’s proof with his belief here. Trying to play patriotic over a bribing voters. That says it all, really. Peace.

Philippines: Malacañang Palace – Intervention of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte – 9th ASEAN-US Summit (26.10.2021)

Opinion: Robredo – getting bribed or not to get bribed… that is the question

I have said this in the past: Accept it because it may have been from tax money. What they used to buy your votes, could be the money of the people. Accept it but vote whoever your conscience says. Don’t just vote because you think you would be indebted to them after receiving the money. For me, accept the money, but vote based on your conscience. We should arrest them because that’s wrong. But now it’s easy. Because today, we have apps like GCash, right? We have those, so vote buying would be easier” – Vice President Leni Robredo (26.10.2021).

The current day OVP and Liberal Party Presidential Candidate in the up-coming election in 2022 Leni Robredo. She has clearly taken a stance now. This trying to be popular and really politicking. In one way… she is against it, but still says people should accept it. That’s where I’m failing her on it.

Robredo needs guidance if she wants to be different and sincere. Than she should flat-out say the bribing voters is wrong. That this usage of funds, plunder and whatnot shouldn’t exist in the first place. This is a misuse of the state reserves and making the candidacy expensive. That’s because everyone needs their cut and their peso’s. It is also striking that it is commercialization of politics. Buying voters and giving them a short-term gains for a vote. Just like some come with soap, rice and whatnot too. It is the same, but that is it really.

Robredo isn’t tricking anyone with this. Let’s “accept the bribe” but not be “swayed by it”. Take the “free” money but don’t expect any sort of justification for it. Yes, the politician and the candidate cannot see what the voter does. However, the reality is that the citizens and the local communities will know who took the pesos. This is why the candidates are doing this. Because, they know which families and barangay’s where they will take the money. Therefore, they know who will most likely vote and be “swayed” into voting for someone.

It is not like Robredo doesn’t know this. It is a pay-off for a service. It is a bribe and no matter what size the bribe is. It is still a bribe and blatant misuse of funds, especially if this is taken from the state coffers. That shouldn’t happen in the first place and why should the citizens accept that? Why receive that? Aren’t they validating and participating in the illegal transaction?

If that is all true. Than the citizen shouldn’t take the money. They are on the receiving end and could be liable too. However, we know that the citizens cannot all be criminal and part of conspiracy to corrupt the system. Nevertheless, the politicians doing this is catering to the culture of this and they know the expectations too.

This is embedded and this is why she speaks of it in this way. Trying to influence, but also downplay the significance of it. Alas, there is the problem. She should be vocally against it. If you are against corruption and bribes. It should be a simple stance. The pork-barrels and the plunder cases is a worry for a reason. The same should voter-bribing be. No matter what method you use or sort of scheme of giving operations you have. It is still a way of paying-to-play and buying a favour. That is really it.

The peso’s is becoming more important than what sort of policies, political program or what gut-feeling you have. The politician can instead become a winner, because they are the ones who pays the most. They are the ones who are giving enough peso’s to make a difference. Because, everyone will hear the talk of the vast amounts and what sort of pay-off that is coming their way. The political allegiance will either get decent pay-off or a budget Jolibee menu.

Robredo should have just said: “I am against it and it’s a ghastly tradition. We are better than this and the COMELEC should disqualify anyone who does this or participate in it. Bribes is never acceptable and shouldn’t be in campaigns”.

Instead she went into mediocre tea territory. Robredo acted soft and meagre …. not having a stance worth mentioning. This is really it. We should expect more from her, but this is disappointing. The pesos are clearly more powerful than anything else. Peace.

Philippines: Oxford Philippines Society (OPS) – Official Statement on the Oxford Philippines Society on “BongBong Marcos”

ASEAN Civil Society Conference (ACSC)/ASEAN People’s Forum (APF): Press Release (17.10.2021)