Photo Courtesy of Ka Leody De Guzman Facebook Page
MANILA, Philippines — Labor leader and presidential candidate Leody de Guzman on Wednesday criticized Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s neutral position on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, saying it manifests his rival’s cowardice in debates.
De Guzman further said that Marcos Jr.’s take on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine also shows that the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. is unaccustomed to accountability.
“Ang kawalan ng tindig ni Marcos Junior sa isyu ng gyera sa Ukraine ay kaparehas lang ng kaduwagan nito na humarap sa debate. Nakaugalian na talaga ng anak ng diktador na umiwas sa responsibilidad,” de Guzman said in a statement.
(Marcos Jr.’s lack of bearing on the issue of war in Ukraine is similar to his cowardice to face debates. the same as his cowardice in facing debates. The son of the dictator got used to avoiding responsibility.)
“Ang pagiging nyutral sa sitwasyong may nagsasamantala at may pinagsasamantalahan ay pagpanig sa mga nang-aapi,” he went on.
(Being neutral in a situation where there is an abuser and the abused means siding with the oppressor.)
In an ambush interview, Marcos Jr. was asked about his stand on the Russia-Ukraine conflict to which he said there is “no need to take a stand” on the issue.
But for De Guzman, the standard-bearer of Partido Lakas ng Masa, the Philippines’ should take a non-aligned position on the matter – which is different from being neutral.
He explained that non-alignment means not choosing a side and not allowing being taken advantage of by what he called an imperialist government.
READ: PH should remain nonaligned amid Russian invasion of Ukraine – Ka Leody
“Pagsandig ito sa ganap na karapatan sa sariling pagpapasya ng mga bansa, na ang pangunahing sinasaalang-alang ay ang kapakanan ng kanilang mga manggagawa’t mamamayan,” de Guzman pointed out.
(This is relying on the absolute right of a country to its own decisions, that the main consideration is the welfare of workers and citizens.)
He said that he is against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s meddling in the issue.
READ: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: Latest developments
The main sufferers of the aggression are workers of both countries while citizens of Europe and the world are “collateral damage,” according to de Guzman.
He also said that of all countries, the Philippines, which has a long history of fighting its conquerors, should make a stand to honor the patriotism of its natives.
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