Vice Presidential candidate and Senator Bongbong Marcos during the Radyo Inquirer Issues Forum in Tarlac State University gymnasium in Tarlac City.INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
An official of a human-rights group expressed her worries on politicians with plunder cases endorsing the candidacy of Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Marie Hilao-Enriquez, chairperson of the group Karapatan, said in a recent interview that money and influence to be acquitted from charges could be the reasons why Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, former President Gloria Arroyo and Senator Juan Ponce Enrile are supporting Marcos.
“Hindi natin maitatanggi na marami pang pera ang mga Marcos at isa ito sa dahilan kung bakit sya iniendorso ng mga pulitiko,” said Enriquez.
(We can’t deny the Marcoses have still lots of money and this is one reason why he is being endorsed by these older politicians.)
Enriquez added there are billions of ill-gotten wealth that are yet to be returned by the Marcoses to the Filipino people and these could be the funds they are using in the election campaign.
“Nakakalungkot na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin naaalis sa kultura ng eleksyon ang guns, goons and gold.”
(It’s just but sad until now the culture of guns, goons and golds is endemic in the elections.)
Mayor Estrada’s endorsement of Marcos is not surprising, she added, because the former president was once tried, convicted and jailed for plunder. The same with Enrile who was jailed for plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam and is only now out on bail. Arroyo is still in hospital detention for plunder.
“Hindi na rin nakapagtataka kung inendorso man nila si Bongbong dahil pareho naman silang nasasangkot sa isyu ng katiwalian (It’s not surprising if they are endorsing Bongbong because they are all involved in corruption cases),” said Enriquez.
The group also pointed out the cases of Estrada’s son, the detained Senator Jinggoy, and Enrile’s former chief of staff, Gigi Reyes, who is still languishing in jail.
The group dismisses the endorsements that Marcos got from these politicians. They pointed out it’s not enough that a candidate is being endorsed by well-known politicians but it’s important to scrutinize the endorsers, their credibility and background.
The group added it’s important to take a closer look why they are endorsing Marcos and the reasons could be what the benefits and favors they are going to reap once he becomes vice president.
Enriquez is hoping the voters will be wise enough to choose and not be swayed by money.
The human-rights group said it worries them a lot if the deciding factor in choosing a candidate is money. The group advised voters to know the background of a candidate because that will be the basis what kind of leader he will become.