Militant lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc on Monday lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for his anti-destructive mining stance, but expressed worry that the chief executive would no longer talk with the left.
In an interview after the President’s second State of the Nation Address (Sona), Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said Duterte was only letting off steam when he said he would “no longer talk with the left.”
“Ang sinabi niya rin nakakabahala. Pero sinabi rin niya, gusto niya lang magpalabas ng steam,” Zarate said.
Zarate said he would still be willing to give President the benefit of the doubt, despite the President’s vow to “bully” the left and the communist rebels as “enemies of the state.”
He expressed hope that the government would resume the stalled peace talks with the communist-run National Democratic Front.
READ: ‘Bully’ Duterte tells Reds: No more talks
“I still believe there are still spaces, may pagkakataon na maibalik on track ang peace process. Kailangang itulak ito. Mas maraming gains sa peace talks,” Zarate said.
Act Rep. Antonio Tinio and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate raise their fists for photographers as they arrive at the House of Representatives to attend the second State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, July 24, 2017. (Photo by MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB / INQUIRER.net)
For his part, Act Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio also said it was only typical for Duterte to criticize the left and still keep on talking with them.
READ: Duterte faces left-wing protesters after Sona, demands mutual respect
“Typical of President Duterte. May harsh words to the left and then lalabas siya ngayon para harapin ung mga nagra-rally,” Tinio said.
Tinio lamented that Duterte had been using the drug menace as the root cause of poverty.
“Ang problema ginagamit ito para sa paggamit ng dahas… Nabahala ako dun sa simula pa lang ang pinapalabas na ugat ng lahat ng problema sa ating lipunan ay droga,” Tinio said.
READ: Sona 2017: ‘Drug war will be unrelenting,’ says Duterte
Tinio lauded, however, the President’s anti-mining stance, but he said it remained to be seen if he would stay true to his word.
“Let’s wait and see kung magiging totoo, alin ang seryoso, at alin ang hindi,” Tinio said. /atm
READ: Duterte warns mining firms: Clean up your act