Duterte plans to revive Marcos’ agri, fishery projects

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday praised the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos anew, saying he was thinking of copying the government programs for farmers and fishermen implemented during the strongman’s regime.

In a visit to  typhoon-hit Tuguegarao, Duterte called Marcos one of the country’s brightest leaders.

“Gusto ko lamang po ‘yung idea ni Marcos… ‘Yung ‘Biyayang Dagat’ pati ‘Masagana 99.’ Ibalik ko ‘yun. Kokopyahin ko. Bright ‘yung tao. Alam niya ‘yung gawin niya. So ibabalik ko ‘yun dahan-dahan,” Duterte said in a speech before typhoon victims at People’s Gym in Tuguegarao.

(I like Marcos’ idea… the “Biyayang Dagat” and “Masagana 99.” I’ll bring it back. I’m going to copy it. He was a bright man. He knew what he was doing. So I’m going to bring it back slowly.)

“‘Wag kayong ma-insulto, isa sa mga bright leaders natin si (former President) Marcos; sayang lang, nanghihinayang ako,” he told the crowd.

(Don’t be insulted, Marcos was one of our bright leaders; I feel regret.)

Duterte led the distribution of relief goods in the province, where typhoon “Lawin” made landfall last week and destroyed houses, trees, and crops.

It was not the first time that Duterte, a known Marcos ally, praised the late dictator, whom he called the “brightest Philippine President”  during his campaign trail.

READ: Duterte says Marcos was the brightest of them all

Duterte also expressed support for the vice presidential bid of the former President’s son and namesake, his friend former Sen. Bongbong Marcos, whose feelings he had considered before giving Vice President Leni Robredo a Cabinet position.

READ: Duterte: Bongbong Marcos could be our new VP

Despite strong opposition from martial law victims, rights advocates and the general public, Duterte promised a hero’s burial for the Marcos patriarch at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the preparations for which were temporarily stopped by the Supreme Court. JE/rga