BY RAYMOND AFRICA and JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
SEN. Aquilino Pimentel III yesterday said the push of the PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi for President Duterte to run for senator in next year’s elections shows the group’s “desperation.”
Duterte had agreed to the faction’s push to run for vice president but later dropped the idea.
“Shows desperation on the part of Cusi and his group. They give (the) impression that they do not have strong candidates within their group and that they are simply riding on and are totally dependent on the popularity and strength of personality of the incumbent president.
That, for us, is personality politics which we want to see ended here in the Philippines as soon as possible,” said Pimentel, leader of the other faction which has Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao as presidential candidate.
The Cusi faction’s standard bearer is Sen. Ronald dela Rosa.
A statement from Melvin Matibag, secretary general of the Cusi faction, said Pimentel “must be referring to himself.”
“Personality politics is advising Senator Manny Pacquiao to run for president just because he is popular even though the latter is a non-performer in the Senate and leads all senators in most absences. The idea of President Rodrigo Duterte running for senator is an offshoot to what some senators are doing now – abusing the oversight powers of the Senate in aid or re-election instead of crafting laws to uplift the lives of the ordinary Filipino.”
Pimentel pushed for an “ issues-based politics.”
“The good future of our country is better assured by a program of government by the people through their votes than by blind loyalty to a mortal person with the expectation of a return favor,” he said.
Cusi, in an interview with TeleRadyo, said the group is pushing Duterte to run for senator to he can bring “real change” to and introduce his “leadership style” in the Senate.
He added there is also a need for a “senator that would bring or represent the real interest of the majority of the people,” as well as someone who has political will to start the needed changes in the country such as structural reforms in government. He cited as example moves to amend the Constitution, which have not moved in Congress.
Cusi also said Duterte could run for senator via substitution, and expressed belief any five candidates of his faction will be willing to step aside if the President decides to run. The five are former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo, former Commission on Filipinos Overseas executive director Astravel Pimentel-Naik, broadcaster Rey Langit, actor Robin Padilla, and Silvestre “Estring” Bello Jr. who is the brother of Labor Secretary Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III.
Manila Mayor and 2022 presidential aspirant Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso wished the President Duterte “good luck” in case he decides to seek a Senate seat.
He also said there is a need to overhaul the country’s political system, particularly on the issue of substitution of candidates, adding that politicians must not be allowed to continue making a fool of the electorate.
Six lawmakers are to stop the practice of substitution of candidates.
HONESTY, NOT DEGREE
Amid contradicting claims on the educational background of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the Religious of the Good Shepherd of the Philippines (RGS) said the issue must center on the virtue of honesty, instead of the educational attainment of the former senator.
“The issue is not the educational attainment but the value of honesty that we expect no less with anyone aspiring for the highest position of power in our country,” said the RGS in a social media post.
It said the same goes for the supporters of the political aspirants and the general public, amid misinformation and propaganda.
The RGS also said one of its sisters personally inquired in March 1983 from the University of Oxford about Marcos’ credentials. It said the nun was “deeply disturbed” by the claims of the then Ilocos Norte governor regarding his educational attainment.
In the said reply of the England-based university dated April 20, 1983 said Marcos is not a graduate of Oxford University and does not hold any degree.
He was, however, awarded a Special Diploma in Social Studies in 1978, according to the academic institution’s letter.
The statement of RGS comes after the issue on Marcos’ educational background resurfaced in recent days.
It was after the Oxford Philippines Society, which is composed of around 200 Filipino students and alumni of Oxford University, insisted that Marcos is not a degree holder.
In turn, Marcos’ camp said it is standing by the degree confirmation that was issued by the University of Oxford to the former. — With Gerard Naval
