01/12/2025
BEWARE OF PAID HACKS
The people must think twice of the statements made by Ronald Llamas, former Akbayan Party president and adviser to then president Noynoy Aquino. Posturing as an objective political analyst, Llamas peddles the deranged idea that the people disgusted by corruption must place their bets on a Marcos-Pinklawan unholy alliance for the 2028 elections.
This charlatan of a political leader aggressively attacks calls by peoples’ movements for the resignation of all involved in corruption, especially Marcos and Duterte because it is “unrealistic.”
Of course it is unrealistic to assume both Marcos and Duterte will resign simply because we ask them to. But the ‘Resign All' call is not an appeal but a political call for the most oppressed sectors of society to realize that their hopes for a better future for their children and sovereign will does not reside among the warring factions of elitist classes but well within themselves.
Aside from his argument from incredulity, Llamas supports his position with a strawman argument. He posits that it is Sara Duterte who stands to benefit from the “Resign All" call. What part of the slogan “lahat ng korap dapat managot” does he not understand? Sara Duterte’s corrupt practices during her DepEd stint was thoroughly exposed during congressional hearings last year, ergo, she too must be expelled from the halls of power.
He further maligns the peoples’ movements call for a People’s Transition Council, as simply a tool for a military junta to install Sara Duterte as president. After deposing the elite, the PTC is a civilian transition body composed not of elites and dynasties but of representatives from the marginalized sectors and reform-oriented, well-meaning figures chosen through democratic consultations and assemblies.
Behind the posturing as an objective analyst, Llamas’ statements are aimed at preserving the status quo. No meaningful changes. As he himself has pointed out, they are looking at “expanding support for radical reforms and alternative leaders for an electoral revolution.”
Llamas’ selective call for accountability is because this paid hack is in service of one of the two warring elitist camps - Marcos Jr. faction. Behind this, is his political agenda: the Marcos-Pinklawan alliance in 2028. In effect, his defense of the status quo would mean that Marcos will not be held accountable, he will finish his term until 2028, and Llamas and Akbayan will benefit by being part of the administration slate come 2028.
We reserve our sharpest criticism of Ronald Llamas in his gravest offense of dismissing the power of the people. He belittles the masses by telling them they can only look up to the elections and choose among the lesser evil. But history tells us, no substantial change will happen if we leave it up to the elites.
