Voters doubt President Duterte’s “retiring from politics.” Texters in radio-tv shows cite three reasons. One, Duterte’s wing of the ruling PDP-Laban wrested the leadership to draft him for VP in Election 2022. That draft sycophantly let him as VP bet pick his presidential runningmate.
Two, he had reneged on such declaration before. In September 2015 he announced giving up politics. Then, two months later, substituted for an obscure partymate as presidential candidate.
Three, Duterte’s “reason” for backing out – a survey where 60 percent said his VP run is unconstitutional – is flimsy. Flimsy in the sense that he ignores people’s sentiments anyway. In survey after survey, nine in ten Filipinos want him to resist China’s sea aggression, yet he does the opposite. He acquiesced to Communist ruler Xi Jinping for Chinese to poach in the West Philippine Sea, no stated limit on duration, area and tonnage.
Duterte’s retirement is but a ploy, texters say. For what? The answer is in the motive. Duterte had said he wants to be VP “for immunity from suit.” Only a president, never a VP, is granted such unwritten privilege. Still, Duterte might need protection against arrest and prosecution after his single term ends on June 30. The International Criminal Court is closing in on him for alleged “crimes against humanity” in 7,000 killings in his bloody war on drugs.
There’s also possible non-bailable plunder if he is implicated in the P12-billion Pharmally scandal, which he’s muzzling the Senate from investigating. Retiring offers Duterte no shield. His top crony’s business empire can collapse. He needs a political maneuver.
Senator Bong Go’s sudden running for VP supposedly is part of the ploy. Duterte said the emerging tandem is his daughter Sara for president and Go for VP. That doesn’t make sense. Sara and Go are both from Davao. Their team-up has no geographical consideration for the rest of Mindanao. Much more for the Visayas and Luzon. It’s like Bongbong Marcos gunning for president with fellow-Ilocano Juan Ponce Enrile as VP.
Scenarios are being painted around Duterte. Like, he can run for congressman or senator. But legislators are immune only from minor suits while Congress is in session. Another possibility is a Cabinet post for Duterte after June 30. Presidential candidate Isko Moreno is amenable to that, since after all Duterte made him undersecretary in 2017.
Or, Sara can team up with Marcos for the top two positions and cover Duterte if they win. Photos are circulating online of talks for such tandem of the two preference survey leaders. An offshoot involves females as the next Senate President and House Speaker. Lastly, it can be a Duterte-Duterte tandem. Such eventuality will unite the Opposition.
There’s a catch in most of those scenarios. They will necessitate candidacy substitution, the deadline of which is Nov. 15. Substitution is a privilege, for the candidate’s name to be included in the ballot at the last minute before Comelec printing. It is an accommodation in case the original candidate dies or falls ill.
But politicos have abused it for publicity mileage. They encourage tsismis of substitution in order to be top of voters’ mind. Instead of sticking to the Oct. 1-8 regular filing of candidacies, they run circles around the law and rules, exploiting the loopholes. Substitution becomes prostitution of the electoral procedure.
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National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera exalted his disciples. The literature master glowed in their successes – Lamangan, Lee, Orteza, Aguila, Montano, Quiambao, Maranan, Martin, Josef, Dalisay, Lacaba, Llanot, Sicam, Vitug, Feria, among the many greats.
The last few times I chatted with Ka Bien were over cocktails in theatrical premieres. There was always a queue of well-wishers. When my turn came up, I’d put his hand to my forehead and apologize for being his most troublesome student. He’d chuckle, then mention recent English and Pilipino articles I’d written. Exchanging notes with other disipulos, they too would beam, amazed that Ka Bien was following their careers.
As chairman of the newborn Philippine Studies program in UP-Diliman in the ’70s, Ka Bien was my course and thesis adviser, plus more. He critiqued even my extracurriculars as lights and sounds gofer in a campus theater troupe. Before one show I introduced Mom and Dad to Ka Bien then went backstage. I don’t know what they talked about, but my parents thenceforth bankrolled my special effects.
To Ka Bien’s delight, the troupe Samapil produced “Sidewalk Vendor,” “Mayo a-21 Atbp. Kabanata” and other musicales – composed, lyricized, directed and performed by youths who would become among today’s outstanding artists. The grateful nation grieves the passing of Ka Bien, 89.
Sinovac safety efficacy and price still need clarifying
Sinovac safety efficacy and price still need clarifying
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