22/09/2024
Duterte: I have "no problem" with Marcos. One president from one family is enough!
On the evening of September 20, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who accused President Marcos of drug abuse and abuse of power, said he currently has no problem with the president's administration.
In a speech at the national convention of the minority Democratic Party of the Philippines (PDP) in Davao City, Duterte said that if there is anything wrong with the government, he will be the first to criticize it.
He said: "Marcos has not obviously abused his power. As long as he maintains this attitude, I think it's fine. I can work with him and compromise with him. As long as there is no favoritism in the military as before. As long as the government works properly, we will have no problems."
"It's not time yet"
Duterte, who is known for making shocking remarks that are often later described as exaggerations or expressions of frustration, lashed out at Marcos earlier this year and made accusations such as drug use and extending his term by amending the constitution.
Speaking before more than 1,000 members of the Democratic Party of the Philippines, of which he is the chairman, Duterte said he had not yet gone to the point of openly opposing Marcos.
"I have nothing against Marcos, to be honest, I can say loudly, 'Mr. President, I don't agree with you. Mr. President, you are wrong, you stop it, because it will not benefit the country,' but I have not reached that point yet," he said.
On the same day that Duterte softened his stance on Marcos, his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, also met with former Vice President Robredo in Naga City, who was a target of Duterte and his allies during his presidency.
One president from one family is enough
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on September 20 that others should be given the opportunity to lead the country.
"One president from one family is enough," Duterte said at the national convention of the Philippine Democratic Party-Laban (PDP-LABAN) in Davao City.
Three major political families have produced six of the country's 17 presidents - Joshua Macapagal and his daughter Ora Macapagal Arroyo; Ferdinando Marcos Sr. and his son Marcos; and Gaurav Aquino and her son Aquino III.
Duterte made the comment after being asked about the possibility of his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, running for president in 2028.
He said: "Give it to others. I know it (power) is strong because I was president... If you say a specific person like my daughter (to be president), I don't think we should do that. Let's give it (the presidency) to others."
The government needs some people on the "opposite side"
On the night of September 20, Duterte stressed the importance of having an opposition force to check and balance in a democracy.
The Duterte faction of the former Solidarity Corps coalition has always positioned itself as the political opposition, and the former presidential spokesman even called himself a "political prisoner of the Marcos government."
He said: "I will help, but keep it low because we are not really the opposition, but someone must stand on the opposite side."
He said that this role is usually played by the political opposition, but anyone can play it, "because whether you like it or not, checks and balances will come."
