PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. took a swipe anew at former President Rodrigo Duterte during the latter’s senatorial campaign sortie for the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas in Carmen, Davao del Norte.
In his speech, which was barely audible at the audience’s side, Marcos stated that other parties are threatened by his strong senatorial slate because of their commendable performance records.
"Nagugulat sila, natatakot yata sila sa inyo eh (referring to his senatorial slate), dahil nga pag nakikita ang Alyansa eh, kung ano-ano na ang sinasabi, narinig lang natin nung isang araw, wala daw pag-asa, siguro sila wala nang pag-asa kaya papatay na lang sila ng labing-limang senador (Whatever they say, we heard the other day that they probably have no hope anymore, so they’ll just kill 15 senators),” Marcos said during the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas rally at Carmen Municipal Hall grounds on February 15, 2025.
Marcos’ statement came after former President Rodrigo Duterte joked about killing 15 senators to make way for his senatorial slate during the PDP-Laban’s proclamation rally on February 13, 2025, in San Juan City.
The former president jokingly said they would just kill the incumbent senators to create vacancies. He further added that the only way to do this is to bomb it; however, he did not specifically say what he would be bombing.
Marcos added that some people believe that the only solution to solving problems is to kill their fellow Filipinos but this was not the case with his senatorial slate. He said that of the senatorial slate of Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, eight have already become senators, thus they already know what they are doing and are experienced in the legislative process.
Duterte’s senatorial slate includes Atty. Jimmy Bondoc, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, Atty. Jesus "Jayvee" Hinlo Jr., Atty. Raul Lambino, Atty. Vic Rodriguez, Philip "Ipe" Salvador, Rep. Rodante "Dante" Marcoleta, and Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
While Marcos' senatorial slate includes former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Senators Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Francis Tolentino, and Lito Lapid, former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Vicente “Tito” Sotto, former Social Welfare Secretary and ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo, and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.
The president also criticized the previous administration, stating that none of his senatorial slate members were involved in extrajudicial killings (EJK) or took advantage of the Covid -19 pandemic.
Marcos said that most of the senatorial slate of the other party is sycophantic toward China and is pleased to see that the Philippine Coast Guard is being harassed by the China Coast Guard in the disputed South China Sea. He also added that none of his senatorial candidates are involved in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).
“Huwag tayong papayag na babalik ang Pilipinas sa panahon ng dilim, wag tayong papayag na ang Pilipinas ay babalik sa panahon ng lagim (Let us not allow the Philippines to return to the times of darkness, let us not allow the Philippines to return to the times of misery),” he said.
He added that this is the time for the Philippines to put the right people in power so that the country would no longer return to its dark past.
Meanwhile, during his speech, the people at the front, who mostly wore red shirts, were observed to have slowly dissipated due to the negligible audio. When Marcos was about to end his speech, a few more people at the front of the stage had already left.
Earlier that day, Marcos visited the 4Ps beneficiaries at the Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas at Tagum City Hall, where several jobs for the graduating beneficiaries were offered to help them transition out of the program. RGP
