Duterte talks longer about opposition bets at final rally

President Rodrigo Duterte made a final pitch for administration senatorial candidates in Pasig on Saturday, May 11, 2019. (Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO / INQUIRER.net)

Updated @ 3:06 a.m., May 12, 2019, to add more quotes, added photo

MANILA, Philippines — In making a final push for his senatorial slate, President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday zeroed in on opposition bets longer than he did on his own candidates.

Speaking at the last campaign rally of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Pasig City on Saturday, the President started by taking a swipe at opposition candidates.

“If you believe in Bikoy, kindly vote for the Otso Diretso. Pag maniwala kayo, doon kayo. If you want a country of inutil, mga duwag, ayan ang mangyayari sa gobyerno ninyo,” he said.

[If you believe in Bikoy, kindly vote for the Otso Diretso. If you believe the, vote for them. If you want a country of useless people, cowards that what you will get in government.]

Bikoy is the alias used by the hooded narrator of “Ang Totoong Narco List,” series videos linking the President’s relatives and allies to the illegal drug trade.

Supporters of the administration-backed senatorial candidates flock to the Philippine Sports Arena in Pasig City for the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) final campaign rally on Saturday (May 11). (Photo by CHRISTIA MARIE RAMOS / INQUIRER.net)

Otso Diretso is the campaign name of the opposition’s senatorial slate.

The opposition slate is composed of Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, reelectionist Sen. Bam Aquino, human-rights lawyer Chel Diokno, Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Romy Macalintal, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, and former House Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada.

The President even singled out some candidates from the opposition — namely Aquino, Hilbay, Roxas, Alejano, and Diokno.

“Mar Roxas. What is in the — what’s in the name? Sige nga? He’s what? President? Lolo? And his father? So what about it? Siya? Anong binigay niya sa bayan?” the President said.

“Mar Roxas, panahon ni [former President Benigno] Aquino, trade minister. Panahon ni Gloria [Macapagal-Arroyo], trade minister. Tapos Aquino na naman, DOTC, Department of Transportation and Communications, tapos DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government]. Anong ginawa niya? Eh ‘di prangka-prangka lang. Unpopular man si Roxas. I am not saying na mas mahusay ako sa kanya,” he added.

Meanwhile, accused another opposition bet of being a credit-grabber.

“Bam Aquino, sige English. Tapos wala. Ang issue sa kanya is credit grabber. Parang ipalabas niya mag-salita sa ‘yung batas sa kanya,” he added.

It was only towards the end of his more than two-hour speech that the President made his final pitch for his candidates.

The President’s picks for the Senate include re-electionist Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, Maguindanao Rep. Zajib “Dong” Mangudadatu, former Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, former special presidential aide Bong Go, and former presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino — who are all running under the PDP-Laban.

The President also backed the bids of Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, former Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan III, veteran singer-songwriter Freddie Aguilar, former Sen. Pia Cayetano, and re-electionist Senators Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito and Cynthia Villar.

“I need men sa Senate. Kailangan ko ng mga tao na hindi… Ma-ano ‘yan sila, but they delay kasi ayaw. ‘Yung iba kausapin pa,” Duterte said.

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)