PHThe US-backed Marcos administration's plot to demonize former president Rodrigo Duterte by regurgitating allegations that there were widespread extrajudicial killings (EJK) in his war against îllégâl drugs six years ago has totally backfired.
The hearing last week by the Senate — which has again proven to be independent of the incumbent administration as it should be, in contrast to the shameless servility of the House of Representatives — reminded Filipinos that in contrast to the incumbent, Duterte was a strong, true leader, willing to take risks to wage an uncompromising stand against the drug lords, who could have made the country worse than several Latin American nations as a narco-state.
Social media — now the equivalent of the "mosquito press" that helped topple the Marcos dictatorship — was deluged with such posts as "Millions love PRRD... that is enough..."; "This is the PRRD that we miss... my president, salamat po"; and even sarcasm directed at Sen. Risa Hontiveros: "Good job talaga ma'am Risa Hotier, proud kaming mga adik sa'yo."
A particular viral post highlighted the fact that Duterte's triumph in fending off the Marcos demonization plot could pull down the current president's political support: "I've witnessed the Arroyo, Aquino and Duterte administrations, but this is the first time I've seen an administration (Marcos) that seems to empower criminals and drug addicts while trying to undermine a president who spent six years weakening their influence. Who are we really protecting here? "The millions of innocent people whose safety and security are threatened by the presence of addicts and criminals, or the human rights of the addicts and criminals?"
Marcos has weaponized this EJK issue against Duterte to ensure his clan retains power in 2028, with his daughter Vice President Sara whom many believe to be a shoo-in for the presidency, having been adversely affected by this demonization of her father.
The US is backing this plot to block Sara's assumption to the presidency, either through Marcos becoming incapacitated before 2028, or by her winning the presidential elections that year. Note for instance that the media outlet most biased against Duterte, whose articles echo the Marcos operatives' claims, is Rappler.com, which has received thousands of dollars in funding from the National Endowment for Democracy, funded by the US government and run essentially by the US State Department. Most US and Western newspapers have emphasized Duterte's alleged "confession" over the existence of the death squads, rather than explaining the sarcasm and nuances of the former president's statements.
The US, especially at this time with its rival China rising fast, cannot afford to lose its sole puppet in Southeast Asia, which Marcos has shamelessly made this country. Sara indubitably will restore the country's independence from the US hegemony.
But the US-backed plot is collapsing: Duterte burned the US' two main agents in its propaganda campaign, Hontiveros and de Lima, in the Senate hearing.
He need not lift a finger against the two congressmen at the frontlines of the Marcos campaign to demolish Duterte — former optometrist Dan Fernandez and religious teacher Bienvenido Abante.
In testimony made through a sworn statement, former Mandaluyong police chief Col. Hector Grijaldo revealed that the two congressmen tried to intimidate him into supporting a claim by retired police colonel Royina Garma that Duterte had created a reward system for those who killed drug lords. Abante even arrogantly hinted that Grijaldo could be promoted to general if he cooperated with them.
Congress should stop wasting taxpayers' money in undertaking these useless hearings that will lead to nothing.
Credits: Rigoberto D. Tiglao
The hearing last week by the Senate — which has again proven to be independent of the incumbent administration as it should be, in contrast to the shameless servility of the House of Representatives — reminded Filipinos that in contrast to the incumbent, Duterte was a strong, true leader, willing to take risks to wage an uncompromising stand against the drug lords, who could have made the country worse than several Latin American nations as a narco-state.
Social media — now the equivalent of the "mosquito press" that helped topple the Marcos dictatorship — was deluged with such posts as "Millions love PRRD... that is enough..."; "This is the PRRD that we miss... my president, salamat po"; and even sarcasm directed at Sen. Risa Hontiveros: "Good job talaga ma'am Risa Hotier, proud kaming mga adik sa'yo."
A particular viral post highlighted the fact that Duterte's triumph in fending off the Marcos demonization plot could pull down the current president's political support: "I've witnessed the Arroyo, Aquino and Duterte administrations, but this is the first time I've seen an administration (Marcos) that seems to empower criminals and drug addicts while trying to undermine a president who spent six years weakening their influence. Who are we really protecting here? "The millions of innocent people whose safety and security are threatened by the presence of addicts and criminals, or the human rights of the addicts and criminals?"
Marcos has weaponized this EJK issue against Duterte to ensure his clan retains power in 2028, with his daughter Vice President Sara whom many believe to be a shoo-in for the presidency, having been adversely affected by this demonization of her father.
The US is backing this plot to block Sara's assumption to the presidency, either through Marcos becoming incapacitated before 2028, or by her winning the presidential elections that year. Note for instance that the media outlet most biased against Duterte, whose articles echo the Marcos operatives' claims, is Rappler.com, which has received thousands of dollars in funding from the National Endowment for Democracy, funded by the US government and run essentially by the US State Department. Most US and Western newspapers have emphasized Duterte's alleged "confession" over the existence of the death squads, rather than explaining the sarcasm and nuances of the former president's statements.
The US, especially at this time with its rival China rising fast, cannot afford to lose its sole puppet in Southeast Asia, which Marcos has shamelessly made this country. Sara indubitably will restore the country's independence from the US hegemony.
But the US-backed plot is collapsing: Duterte burned the US' two main agents in its propaganda campaign, Hontiveros and de Lima, in the Senate hearing.
He need not lift a finger against the two congressmen at the frontlines of the Marcos campaign to demolish Duterte — former optometrist Dan Fernandez and religious teacher Bienvenido Abante.
In testimony made through a sworn statement, former Mandaluyong police chief Col. Hector Grijaldo revealed that the two congressmen tried to intimidate him into supporting a claim by retired police colonel Royina Garma that Duterte had created a reward system for those who killed drug lords. Abante even arrogantly hinted that Grijaldo could be promoted to general if he cooperated with them.
Congress should stop wasting taxpayers' money in undertaking these useless hearings that will lead to nothing.
Credits: Rigoberto D. Tiglao
, yan si tiglao nabula din bibig ng kupal