President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. launched a scathing critique of his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, during the opening rally of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial campaign. Speaking in Ilocos Norte, Marcos emphasized that his administration’s candidates have no ties to the controversial policies and scandals that plagued Duterte’s presidency.
Bongbong Marcos made it clear that his slate is composed of experienced lawmakers and officials with clean records. He stated that none of them have been linked to human rights violations from Duterte’s bloody war on drugs, corruption during the pandemic, or questionable foreign policies regarding China.
Marcos took direct jabs at the previous administration, saying Filipinos must decide whether to move forward or return to past failures. He accused Duterte’s leadership of leaving behind a legacy tainted with extrajudicial killings, financial mismanagement, and questionable alliances with foreign powers.
Marcos distances his slate from Duterte’s policies
Bongbong Marcos made bold claims about the integrity of his administration’s senatorial bets, contrasting them with those he suggested were tainted by past scandals. He asserted that none of his allies have blood on their hands from the war on drugs or were involved in corruption scandals that worsened the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also addressed the nation’s ongoing territorial dispute with China, stating that no one in his camp would support Beijing’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea. Marcos appeared to take another jab at Duterte, who has been criticized for his close ties with China and his handling of maritime disputes.
Without naming Duterte directly, Marcos implied that previous leadership had prioritized foreign interests over the welfare of Filipinos. He painted the upcoming midterm elections as a critical moment where voters must choose whether to embrace a new path or revert to policies that, according to him, failed the country.
Opposition challenges Marcos’ statements
Despite Marcos’ strong statements, opposition figures quickly fired back. House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro questioned his claim that none of his allies had ties to Duterte’s controversial drug war. She pointed out that many of his candidates remained silent during the height of extrajudicial killings and did not take a stand against human rights abuses.
Castro, who is also running for a Senate seat, urged Marcos to review his candidates’ records, noting that silence and inaction can also make politicians complicit. She accused his team of failing to challenge Duterte’s most controversial policies when they had the chance.
The heated exchange highlights the political tensions leading into the 2025 midterm elections. With Bongbong Marcos distancing himself from Duterte while the opposition calls for accountability, the battle for Senate seats is shaping up to be a fight over the country’s future direction.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.