Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 29) — The 2022 elections are an opportunity to reset the button, Vice President Leni Robredo said amid the alliance of powerful political clans backing the tandem of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao Mayor Sara Duterte.
“Pagkakataon ito for us to, parang reset button. Na kapag tinalo natin sila, umpisahan na natin iyong isang klase ng pulitika na lahat may pagkakataon,” Robredo said Monday during a covenant signing with Alliance of Labor Leaders 4 Leni (ALL4LENI).
[Translation: This is a chance for us, a kind of reset button. If we win over them, we can start the type of politics where everyone has a chance.]
The political parties of the Marcoses, Estradas, Arroyos, and Dutertes recently forged a union to ensure the victory of Marcos-Duterte.
Defeating the “trinity”
And if this alliance holds, law professor John Molo said, “the past becomes our collective future.”
“An Arroyo, a Duterte, and a Marcos combined is unstoppable. So, why even resist? Because what else is there? This triune is our failure to deliver on the promises of EDSA given form. It is what decades of waltzing with political dynasties and the oligarchy finally amounts to,” Molo said.
The public’s advantage, he explained, is clarity on what needs to be done and who are they doing it for.
“An Arroyo, a Duterte, and a Marcos need to be reminded. We are Asia’s first democracy. We once taught the world a new way to earn freedom. We will do so again. Because this is our Republic, not one family’s or three,” Molo said.
The presidential aspirant said she hopes to see ordinary Filipinos getting elected to public office, citing the inclusion of labor leader lawyer Sonny Matula in her senate slate.
“So iyong inclusion ni Atty. Sonny, symbolism na seryoso kami doon. Symbolism na siguro mahihirapan si Atty. Sonny dahil ang papasukin natin, iyon pa din na klase ng politika,” Robredo said.
[Translation: The inclusion of Atty. Sonny, it’s symbolism that we are serious about it. Symbolism that — Atty. Sonny might find difficult because what we’re getting into is that kind of politics.]
Go beyond campaign promises
With the proliferation of fake news on social media, Robredo urged labor leaders to teach their members to discern. And the best way to do it is through a candidate’s track record, she added.
“Kasi ngayon tinitignan ko rin iyong ibang mga kandidato, sasabihin nila iyong, halimbawa, programa nila para sa agri. Pupunta sila sa palayan, doon sila magpapa-video, pero ‘di ba hindi naman iyon proof na aasikasuhin mo iyong sektor, eh. Ang proof na aasikasuhin mo iyong sektor, kung bago nito, bago ka nagkandidato, nasaan ka?” Robredo said.
[Translation: I am looking at the other candidates now, they will say for example, their agri programs. They will go to the rice fields, film a video there, but that isn’t proof they will take care of that sector. The proof is, before all of this, before you became a candidate, where were you?]
