How can Marcos Jr. defend us if he can’t defend himself in TV interview? — Bayan Muna solon

Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite (INQUIRER.net file photo / Noy Morcoso)

MANILA, Philippines — How can Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. defend us if he cannot defend himself in a TV interview, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Ferdinand Gaite asked on Sunday.

Gaite’s remark came after Marcos Jr. refused to be interviewed by GMA-7 broadcast journalist Jessica Soho, who his camp believes is “biased against the Marcoses.”

 “Paano niyo aasahan ipagtanggol at ipaglaban tayo ni Marcos, e di nga niya kayang humarap para ipagtanggol at ipaliwanag ang sarili niya kay Jessica Soho?” the solon said in a statement.

(How could you expect Marcos to defend and fight for us when he cannot face, defend and explain himself to Jessica Soho?)

Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (INQUIRER / file photo)

“Marcos, Jr. does have a lot of explaining to do regarding his role during his father’s violent martial rule, the billions of dollars they misappropriated for themselves, and what his plans are for our country,” he added.

 Gaite stressed that knowing Marcos Jr.’s performance, track record, and vision is “obviously necessary.”

 “Marcos cannot live forever in an echo chamber where he chooses his own audience,” he pointed out.

Gaite advised voters to be aware of what candidates have accomplished.

“[D]emand to know what these candidates have actually done and not simply rely on unvalidated social media and the achievements of their parents or families,” he urged.

“Alamin ninyo ang tindig nila sa mahahalagang usapin ng bayan para masulosyunan ang problema ng pandemya, kahirapan, katiwalian, at kasarinlan na kaya nilang ipaliwanag at panindigan na hindi lamang binabasa sa idiot board,” added Gaite.

(Know their stand on important social issues, to solve pandemic-related issues, poverty, corruption, and independence without reading the idiot board.)

 gsg