NO TO MARCOS-DUTERTE 2022!

Last November 9, 2021, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio withdrew her candidacy for the city’s mayoralty and was substituted by his brother, Sebastian Duterte. Without leaving any explanation with regard to her plans as an electoral candidate, her initiative is still deemed as a step to be a candidate for the higher positions in the national government, as several groups have been urging her to run for presidency or to be the running mate of the presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr [1]. As anticipated, earlier today, Sara Duterte filed her certificate of candidacy for vice president after replacing Lakas-CMD bet Lyle Uy [2]. Following this, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), the political party of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., then issued a resolution showing their intent to adopt Duterte to be the vice presidential running mate of Marcos Jr. [3]. Senator Bato Dela Rosa also withdrew his certificate of candidacy for president this same afternoon [4]. Subsequently, Senator Bong Go, who backed out on his VP bid, has now confirmed his intent to run for presidency, while President Rodrigo Duterte is once again vying for the vice presidential seat [5], contradicting his earlier statement of ‘retiring for politics’ [6]. These turn of events go without saying that Duterte’s cronies are submissive in showing blind support for the Duterte-Marcos tandem, while these two tyrannical dynasties are adamant in hovering political power by controlling those seated in office.

This theatrical and ambitious display of political tactics shows a blatant disregard for the due process of elections, a ploy inherited from Sara Duterte’s very own father in the 2016 elections. As inheritors of bloody and inhumane administrations, both the Marcos and Duterte dynasties will stop at nothing to manipulate the law to their own benefit. Their power-hungry rule has given rise to corruption, an increase in poverty, sustained imperialism, rise in national debt, and an overall neglect for human rights—all of which shall no longer be endured by the Filipino people.

Furthermore, only 35 years have passed since the Marcosian dictatorship under Martial Law, while the murderous war on drugs is still ongoing. To this day, the misery and cries of the larger Filipino masses are still loud and clear. The imposition of the Martial Law and Dutere’s War on Drugs have evidently become platforms of loss and death for innocent Filipinos. With this, we should not turn a blind eye to the lives that were taken nor neglect the voices of our fellowmen who have been victims of the ferocious and inhumane regimes. It is pivotal that we tirelessly reiterate and make a stance that we have not forgotten and will never forget their dictatorial and fascist regimes—that there is no space for dictators, thieves, and murderers to be seated in power. [a][b]

May we #NeverForget the injustices perpetrated by two of the most tyrannical rulers of this nation. This is a reminder for us to remain vigilant as the shadow of the Duterte and Marcos tyranny is brought into light through this tandem. The past administration and the Martial Law regime has taught us enough. Now more than ever, there is an utter need to unite with the larger Filipino masses as we continue to lobby voter’s education, and arouse, organize, and mobilize the collective in our fight against the imminent Marcos-Duterte regime. We condemn the coalition of these two despotic political dynasties whose only goal is to maintain a political stronghold and continue to oppress Filipinos. We, the UP Diliman University Freshie Council, together with the Freshies, Shifties, and Transferees ng Bayan, unite in the fight against oppression and firmly say no to a macho-feudal rule under the Duterte-Marcos tandem.

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References:

[1] Tan, L. (2021, November 9). Sara Duterte withdraws from Davao mayoralty race; Bong Go hints at changes in his VP bid. CNN Philippines. Retrieved November 13, 2021, from https://www.cnnphilippines.com/.../Sebastian-Baste...

[2] Villaruel, J. E. (2021, November 13). #HALALAN2022: Sara Duterte to run for VP under Lakas-CMD. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 13, 2021, from https://news.abs-cbn.com/.../sara-duterte-to-run-for-vp...

[3] Cupin, B., & Buan, L. (2021, November 13). Bongbong Marcos adopts Sara Duterte as VP bet. Rappler. Retrieved November 13, 2021, from https://www.rappler.com/.../bongbong-marcos-adopts-sara...

[4] Cordero, T. (2021, November 13). Bato to withdraw COC for president in Eleksyon 2022 | News |. GMA News Online. Retrieved November 13, 2021, from https://www.gmanetwork.com/.../bato-to-withdraw.../story/...

[5] Rappler. (2021, November 13). LIVE UPDATES: Candidate substitution, withdrawal for 2022 PH elections. Rappler. Retrieved November 13, 2021, from https://www.rappler.com/.../updates-substitution...

[6] Rey, A. (2021, October 2). Duterte says he’s retiring from politics as Filipinos reject his VP run. Rappler. Retrieved November 13, 2021, from https://www.rappler.com/.../duterte-announces-retirement...