By Beatrice Puente
(October 26, 2021) – Politicians who are facing allegations of corruption, killings, and other crimes must be barred from joining the elections to change the kind of governance in the country, said presidential aspirant and labor leader Leody De Guzman on Monday.
De Guzman, the standard-bearer of Partido Lakas ng Masa, stressed that electing the same corrupt officials to power would only perpetuate the system that has long burdened Filipinos.
“Hindi na puwedeng maging matino ang isang gobyerno na pinamumunuan ng akusadong magnanakaw, mamamatay-tao, at mga gahaman sa puwesto,” said De Guzman on One News’ The Chiefs. “Dapat magkaroon ng realization at pagtutulong na itakwil ang ganitong klaseng pamumuno.”
De Guzman issued the remark when asked about a recent meeting in Cebu between Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and former senator Bongbong Marcos Jr. He stressed that the brewing partnership between the two politicians could pose “a great problem” if they run together in the 2022 elections.
Marcos is running for president under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas but he has no partner yet. Some political observers believe Duterte-Carpio could be his running mate following their meeting. But Duterte-Carpio said they only talked about how her party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago, can help Marcos’ candidacy.
Duterte-Carpio, who’s gunning for reelection, also reiterated she has no plans to run for president.
“Malaking problema ‘yan at isa yan sa gusto kong baguhin (dahil) ‘yung sistema ng ating eleksyon talagang pabor din sa mayayaman,” said De Guzman, criticizing Marcos and Duterte-Carpio who both hail from big political clans.
Marcos, the son of the late dictator, has refused to apologize to the thousands of individuals killed, tortured, and abused under his father’s dark military regime. Their family also plundered billions from public coffers, with an estimated P125 billion more ill-gotten wealth yet to be recovered.
Duterte-Carpio’s family, meanwhile, has ruled Davao City for decades now, imposing an iron-fisted leadership. Her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, meanwhile, will be investigated by the International Criminal Court for his ruthless drug war that has killed up to 30,000, according to human rights groups.
Various organizations have banded together to oppose the possible rise of Marcos and Duterte. Many believe that the already grave human rights situation will even become worse if the two politicians would govern the country.
But he emphasized that the focus should not end on blocking the two powerful families from gaining power. De Guzman said presidential aspirants must also introduce significant changes to the situation of workers, farmers, and other marginalized sectors.
De Guzman added that he’s still willing to engage in talks with other opposition figures to talk about their platforms and agenda, maintaining that Filipinos can make the right choices in the 2022 elections.
“Basta’t maabot lang ‘yung ating masa, maipaliwanag sa kanila’t makikita ang mangyayari, puwede pa rin magkaroon ng prinsipyadong eleksyon ngayong 2022,” said De Guzman.
(PM)
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