Marcos to voters: Reject ‘all talk’ senatorial bets
City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan—Repeating his thinly veiled swipes at senatorial bets allied with his predecessor, President Marcos on Friday reminded Filipinos to elect “doers” to the Senate and not politicians “who are all talk.”
Mr. Marcos accompanied 10 of the 12 members of the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Pagbabago senatorial candidates on their seventh campaign rally so far, and their first in Central Luzon.
His sister, Sen. Imee Marcos and ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo were not present but the President still put in a good word for them.
Go for ‘all action’
In his 30-minute speech at the City College of San Jose del Monte grounds, Mr. Marcos pointed out that all members of the administration’s senatorial slate were past or present government officials with extensive experience in public service. He added that eight of his endorsed candidates were senators or had served in the Senate.
Aside from the President’s sister, other Alyansa bets who are incumbent senators seeking reelection are Senators Lito Lapid, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Francis Tolentino. Former Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, and former Senate President Vicente Sotto III are also eyeing a comeback.
Benjamin Abalos Jr. is a former Interior Secretary, Mandaluyong City mayor, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair. Tulfo and Camille Villar are incument House members, while Abigail Binay is the outgoing mayor of Makati City.
“It is very clear that they already know the job of being in the government. These are people in public service. Sometimes, they no longer talk about their plans, they just do their jobs,” Mr. Marcos said.
“Let us not listen to people who are all talk. We should elect public officials who are all action.”
The Alyansa slate is barely halfway done with its planned 21 campaign rallies for the May 12 midterm elections.
In his speeches during the Alyansa’s political rallies, Mr. Marcos often took swipes at his candidates’ rivals, especially those allied with former President Rodrigo Duterte—without calling Duterte or the other senatorial bets by name.
On Friday afternoon, the President repeated his thinly veiled criticism of the other candidates and the past administration’s bloody war on drugs.
“It is my belief that we do not need violence that leaves many hurt or dead, with thousands of Filipinos gone and disappeared. That is not right. There is a correct way to ensure peace and order,” he said.
This is by ensuring that the police and local governments have the national government’s full support in maintaining peace and order, he said.
Mr. Marcos added that the country did not need Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) to keep its economy running, especially since Pogos exploit women and were hubs of violence.
“We already banned Pogos and we will not allow them to come back, because we’ve seen the evil that they did to our countrymen. The solution is not illegal activity. The solution is in real jobs and good livelihoods, and support for those in need,” the President said. “What we need are solutions, not hot-headed and hurtful words.”
