Metro Manila, Philippines – A Palace official warned that the country could elect a person in the 2028 elections who will serve a foreign power or government, in response to Vice President Sara Duterte’s remarks raising doubts about the country’s future.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a briefing on Friday, Feb. 13, that the Philippines could face such risks if voters choose the wrong leader.
“Kung ang kaniyang hula ay magkakatotoo, malamang mangyayari iyan kung ang isang lider na iboboto sa 2028 ay isang Manchurian candidate, isang puppet ng isang bansa kung saan maaaring ipamigay ang ating yaman, ang ating karapatan sa ibang bansa,” Castro said.
[Translation: If her prediction comes true, it could happen if the leader elected in 2028 is a Manchurian candidate – a puppet of another country who might give away the country’s resources and rights.]
A “Manchurian candidate” refers to a political leader secretly controlled by a foreign power and acting against the country’s interests.
“Mayroon pa bang bayan, mayroon pa bang Pilipinas na pag-uusapan sa taong 2028?” Duterte said in an interview.
[Translation: Do we still have a country to talk about in 2028?]
She cited corruption, flooding and what she described as a lack of major development projects. She warned that Filipinos could one day wake up to a “broken government” and a nation in disarray.
Castro rejected the assessment during a Palace briefing on Friday, accusing the vice president of ignoring the administration’s programs.
“Unang-una, masasabi natin ang bise presidente ay bulag, hindi niya nakikita kung ano ang ginagawa ng Pangulo,” Castro said.
[Translation: First of all, we can say the vice president is blind; she does not see what the president is doing.]
Castro said Duterte’s remarks amounted to “drama pero walang gawa” [drama without action], and pointed to government initiatives in transportation and education as examples of ongoing development.
Duterte also criticized Castro’s earlier remarks toward her, saying the Palace official’s statements embarrass the country because “the world is listening.”
She added that Castro’s comments should no longer be given attention.
Castro dismissed the criticism, saying telling the truth should not be considered shameful.
“Hindi po nakakahiyang magsabi ng katotohanan,” she said.
[Translation: It is not shameful to tell the truth.]
