A CONGRESSMAN has picked up the cudgels for the Marcos administration over insinuations that the Marcos administration prevented a projected peace rally of former President Rodrigo Duterte in Bustos, Bulacan.
“Even if we rewind it from the time President Marcos ran his campaign in 2022, he was even singled out among the candidates for not attending debates and the like, but he just went on and let his critics be. He just let them do what they think was right for them,” House Assistant majority leader and Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun said.
“How much more now that he is already President? It’s the last thing his administration needs – political polarization. Remember, he and now Vice President Sara Duterte even ran on the theme of unity, which they coined as UniTeam,” Khonghun pointed out.
Khonghun, and a member of the House of Representatives’ so-called “Young Guns,” also cited the personal grudges that evolved between Duterte and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, which the President simply shrugged off.
“Every administration has its own share of hits and misses, and perhaps this government is no exception. But to say that the national government is engaged in harassment is simply unfair,” Khonghun said, adding that the Duterte camp even held rallies in Cebu, Davao and Tagum cities in the past.
“What the President has been repeating is for government to unite in order to achieve the goals that we all want,” Khonghun stressed, refuting allegations of former presidential spokesman Harry Roque that their April 28 “Majisug Peace Rally” – or “Brave Peace Rally” was called off in Bulacan to avert any potential trouble.
“What we’re saying is that while you may disagree with some policies of the government, you can always demonstrate your gripes in a very decent and respectful way,” Khonghun said. Maricel V. Cruz
He also urged former President Rodrigo Duterte supporters to “stop destabilizing” the government.
“It’s time to unite, we have so many problems to solve – from inflation to conflicts in the Middle East and Europe,” he said.