Bongbong hails Aquino’s anti-corruption drive but…

Vice presidential candidate Sen. Bongbong Marcos throws t-shirts to the crowd during a campaign sortie in Tarlac province on Monday, March 28, 2016. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

TARLAC CITY — If there is anything that President Benigno Aquino III has done right in his administration, it is his campaign against corruption but it still needs improvement, vice presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Monday.

“Malaking problema ang corruption dahil ang problema natin ay nadadagdagan at napakalki ng nawawala na pondo sa gobyerno. Sa ngayon mabuti naman nalagyan ng pundasyon ng kanyang administrasyon ang sinsabing anti-corruption drive,” the senator said at the Radyo Inquirer Issues Forum held at the Tarlac State University with hundreds of audience in attendance.

But while the President has taken credit for its crusade against corruption, Marcos said that so much needs to be done. Although there was progress, he pointed out that those indicted were not treated the same.

“Kailangan siguro para kailangan pagandahin ang anti-corruption drive. Dapat ay pantay-pantay ang trato sa kahit na sinong masangkot sa katiwalian. Ang sistema minsan sa kaalyado di nagkakaproblema, pag kalaban sa pulitika yun ang kinakawawa. Dapat wala na yan, kahit sino man ay pantay-pantay ang pagtrato,” he said.

Anti-corruption was Aquino’s battlecry that helped him win the presidency in 2010. It has led to the arrest of several officials, including three senators, while dozens of individuals were either charged or being investigated.

The family of Marcos, the son and namesake of the late dictator, is hounded by corruption allegations during martial law that was toppled by people power in 1986. Aquino’s mother, Corazon, was installed president.

Before the forum in the afternoon, the younger Marcos just finished campaigning around Tarlac, the hometown of Aquino, for his vice presidential bid.

“Ang department na hindi ko nadaanan ay judiciary… sabagay hindi naman ako naging abogado. Maipapakita ko na mahaba ang naging record ko,” the 58-year-old Marcos said, who was vice governor when he was 23. He has also served as congressman, governor before he became a senator.

Unity is the senator’s campaign narrative, which aims to end adversarial politics by previous and current administrations.

“Sa aking palagay maganda na ang trabaho ng ating mga legislator. Sa aking palagay sapat na ang batas para sa iba’t ibang issue na hinaharap ng taumbayan. Sa aking palagay nagkukulang tayo sa implementation sa batas. Iniisip ko babalik ako sa executive para makatulong sa pag-i-implement ng batas,” he said when asked why he wants the second highest post.

Marcos, who is running with presidential candidate Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, said he is ready to work with any elected president if he wins.

“Si Sen. Miriam may mga programang magkasama kami. Si Vice President Binay taga norte so natural ally hindi magiging problema. Si Mar Roxas matalik kong kaibigan at yung asawa ko ay pinsan niya kaya pwede kaming magtrabaho,” he said.

As to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, the senator said he is one of his longtime bestfriends.

“Si Sen. Grace Poe kapatid ko,” he said in jest as the crowd cheers, but was quick to add, “Biro lang po.”