MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. indirectly responded to a remark of his predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who joked that incumbent senators should be killed to make way for the senatorial candidates he is supporting.
In a speech in Davao del Norte on Saturday evening, the Chief Executive said it is troubling that some people think that the only solution to all problems is to kill more Filipinos.
“Nakikita natin ang ibang partido…nagugulat sila, natatakot yata sila sa inyo dahil pagnakita ang line–up ng Alyansa ay kung anu-ano na ang sinasabi,” Marcos said. “Narinig lang natin…wala daw pag-asa siguro kaya papatay na lang sila ng 15 senador.”
He added: “Sabagay, mahirap naman ang ibang tao, ang iniisip lang nila ang kaisa-isang solusyon sa lahat ng problema ay pumatay pa ng Pilipino. Nakakapagtaka kung bakit ganoon.”
During Thursday last week’s PDP-Laban proclamation rally, President Duterte joked that they should eliminate 15 senators so that all their nine senatorial candidates can have a seat.
“Patayin natin ‘yung mga senador ngayon para mabakante. Kung makapatay tayo ng mga kinse na senador, pasok na tayong lahat...Talking of opportunities, the only way to do it is pasabugin na lang natin,” Duterte said.
Meanwhile, despite his indirect criticism to Duterte, Marcos acknowledged the perspective of other political groups, attributing their aggressive stance to the strength of his slate.
“Ngunit maiintindihan mo rin dahil kung ako nga ay nasa kabilang partido at itong mga ito ang kaharap natin, sasabihin ko, mahirap na kampanya ito dahil mabigat ang kalaban,” Marcos said.
“Dahil kung kikilatisin natin sila isa-isa, napakatingkad po ng mga record nila, napakaganda ng kanilang mga naging performance sa kanilang iba’t-ibang inupuang mga posisyon sa pamahalaan,” he pointed out./PN
