The Philippine senatorial race has erupted into a fierce battle between the Marcos and Duterte camps, with both sides vying for control of the Senate. President Marcos is determined to prevent Vice President Sara Duterte from running for president in 2028, while the Duterte clan is equally resolute in supporting Inday Sara's candidacy. The campaign has been characterized by bitter attacks and personal accusations.
The senatorial campaign that commenced last Tuesday has taken on a fierce and determined tone, signaling a potentially decisive battle. The Marcos administration is striving to prevent Vice President Sara Duterte from contesting the presidency in 2028. Standing in opposition is the Duterte clan, wielding their substantial influence in the Visayas and Mindanao, determined to secure Inday Sara's candidacy and her claim to the presidency, a position she relinquished to Bongbong Marcos in 2022.
On the inaugural day of the campaign, President Marcos made his intentions clear. Addressing the throngs assembled at the packed Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena for the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas proclamation rally, he launched a scathing attack on Duterte and certain PDP-Laban candidates. He asserted that their hands were stained with blood and deemed them unqualified to serve as senators.Two days later, former President Rodrigo Duterte, though visibly thinner, delivered a powerful speech rallying support for his PDP-Laban candidates. He accused President Marcos of being a drug addict. Their campaign rally took place at the historic Club Filipino, a venue steeped in symbolic significance. It was the site where Corazon Aquino swore her oath as president, coinciding with Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s self-proclamation as president from the balcony of Malacañan Palace. The deliberate choice of Club Filipino served as a potent reminder of the nation's history, underscoring the overthrow of a corrupt and tyrannical regime by an outraged populace four decades prior.Duterte, known for his colorful and often provocative language, declared, 'There is one president who is really into drugs. Not really crazy, but drug addiction is long term ... Maybe Marcos could reach the age of 80, but by that time, he is no longer moving. Either he is standing in his room or sleeping.' The atmosphere at Club Filipino was electric, with the crowd responding with a mixture of enthusiastic applause and raucous laughter.Duterte was joined by his son, Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, who echoed his father's sentiments, accusing the Marcos administration of ushering Filipinos back into an oppressive regime. The allusion to the Marcos Sr. dictatorship was unmistakably clear. The entire PDP-Laban contingent was present, with Senator Ronald Dela Rosa asserting that he was unconcerned with the label of 'hands tainted with blood,' as long as the blood belonged to criminals and their ilk. 'Cast this in stone,' Dela Rosa proclaimed. 'I don't care if my hands are tainted with blood if we need to protect the lives of good people.'
PHILIPPINES POLITICS SENATORIAL RACE MARCOS DUTERTE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA ELECTORAL BATTLE
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