FILE PHOTO: Labor leader Leody de Guzman and Senator Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — At least two presidential candidates on Monday expressed their take on the concept of unity, which Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has used as a campaign motto without offering specific plans on how to achieve it.
Labor leader Leody de Guzman questioned Marcos Jr.’s ‘empty’ unity call as the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. declined another presidential debate yet again.
“Ayaw ni Marcos Jr. na sumama sa anumang harapan o tapatan sa ibang mga kandidato. Kampante siya na pangalagaan ang kanyang kalamangan sa mga survey. Iniiwasan niya rin na malantad ang pagiging walang laman ng islogan niyang ‘unity’,” De Guzman said in a statement.
“Pagkakaisa para saan, para kanino, at papaano? Kung hindi sasagutin ang mga tanong, mauuwi tayo simpleng ‘nakaisa.’ Pagkakaisa para walang kokontra sa pag-akyat niya sa pagkapangulo!”
“Inaangkasan lang nito ang popular na diskontento laban sa bangayan ng mga elitista,” he also said.
De Guzman surmised that Marcos Jr., who is leading surveys on presidential candidates, appears content with his performance in pre-election polls.
“Hindi dapat pagtatakhan ang malakas na takbo ni Marcos Junior sa karera sa pagkapangulo. Matagal na nila itong pinaghandaan. Ang masa ay saksi sa sobrang kahirapan sa kabila ng mga paglago ng ekonomya matapos ang EDSA 1986,” said De Guzman, who is running for president under the Partido Lakas ng Masa.
“At higit sa lahat, kinakapos ang ibang kandidato (lalo na ang mga sikat na mula sa tradisyunal na partido) sa malinaw na paglalahad kung paano nila babaguhin ang buhay ng masang Pilipino,” he added.
READ: Leody de Guzman pushes for government and economy of the masses
For Senator Panfilo Lacson, a cry for unity would be nothing if the person calling for it would be all talk.
In a tweet on Monday, the veteran senator said unity is “best accomplished when a leader leads by example.”
“We learned that in school, training and actual practice. A leader who practices what he preaches is the best unifying factor because he inspires and motivates his people. Shared integrity does not divide. It unifies,” he said.
Unity is best accomplished when a leader leads by example. We learned that in school, training and actual practice. A leader who practices what he preaches is the best unifying factor because he inspires and motivates his people. Shared integrity does not divide. It unifies.
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) February 14, 2022
“Unity is not just about talking repeatedly about it, nor does it mean having unification talks for some self-serving politics of interest. Unity is about leading by good example for the people to unite under principled leadership, where the bad will eventually join the good among the leader’s followers,” he also later said in a message to INQUIRER.net when asked about his tweet.
He likewise stressed that “good leadership by example can make unity among the people future-proof because it inspires and motivates, not imposed nor demanded.”
Marcos Jr. has repeatedly called for unity during his campaign rallies.
At the formal kick-off of his presidential campaign on February 8 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, Marcos Jr. spoke for 20 minutes before his supporters and called anew for unity but never mentioned any details about his plans for the country if ever he gets elected as president.
READ: Marcos Jr. repeats lone battle cry for 2022 polls in campaign kick-off: Unity
The camp of Marcos Jr. also explained earlier that their bet will not engage in debates – which, for them, is only meant to cause fighting among presidential contenders.
But the spokesperson of Vice President Leni Robredo, who is also running for president in the May 9 polls, said that a debate among presidential candidates is not a brawl since it serves as a venue where applicants to the highest elective government post can articulate their platform and advocacies as well as address issues related to their candidacy and qualifications.
Marcos Jr.’s camp recently said that he declined the CNN Philippines’ debate but accepted the invite for a debate organized by the SMNI, the broadcasting arm of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church led by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who has already announced his endorsement of Marcos Jr. for president.
Quiboloby has also announced his endorsement of Marcos Jr.’s running mate, Sara Duterte-Carpio, for vice president.
Four presidential candidates, however, will not be able to join the SMNI debate.