Changing colors won’t stop Marcoses, democratic socialism will – Bello

Former Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello (INQUIRER.net filel photo)

MANILA, Philippines —  Changing colors won’t stop the return of Marcoses; it’s like “dead end” leading nowhere. without a future, according to former Rep. Walden Bello, a vice-presidential candidate.

‘There are those who say that the biggest threat is the return of power of the Marcoses and the Dutertes,” Bello said in Filipino on Tuesday during the proclamation rally with presidential candidate Leody de Guzman at the Bantayog ng Mga Bayani in Quezon City.

“We agree. But the best way we can stop this is not by replacing the yellow wrapper of the failed policies of the past 35 years with a different color wrap — blue, white, green, or pink. This is a dead end, a road that leads nowhere,” he added.

According to Bello, the only way to stop  “what was once a nightmare” is to offer the people a choice to be involved in creating the future that is right for them — “a real democratic Philippines.”

“What is this program? In two words, Democratic Socialism,” he went on.

He made the statement the same day after #KulayRosasAngBukas flooded social media in support of another presidential candidate, Vice President Leni Robredo.

Robredo was also the same candidate who said that one of her motivations to run for president was to prevent the return of the Marcoses to power and the politics they represent.

“We’re not selling quick fixes like ‘let’s unite’ of the Marcos-Duterte tandem, ‘reaffirm our principles’ of t e Robredo-Pangilinan group, ‘reform government’ of the Lacson-Sotto team, or ‘break down corruption’ of Pacquiao-Atienza,” Bello said.

“These are slogans, not solutions,” he added.

Bellow also stressed the importance of the coming elections, branding it as an “electoral insurgence.”

“Finally, comrades and countrymen, this election we face is not just that common election. It is an electoral insurgency,” Bello said.

“Whether the candidates of the Laban ng Masa and Partido Lakas ng Masa win or not, the insurgency for democratic socialism will continue and swell more even after the elections,” he added.

Both Bello and De Guzman are running under the Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) along with senatorial bets that include labor leader Luke Espiritu,and environmentalists Roy Cabonegro and David D’ Angelo.

Tuesday, Feb. 8, was the start of the campaign period for national candidates — president, vice president, senators, and party-list groups.

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