Marcos, Duterte factions urged to halt bickering

MANILA, Philippines – Former rebel solider-turned-senator Gregorio Honasan stressed the ill effects to society posed by bickering among public officials and politicians who belong to opposing interest groups.

“The effects of a divided society, people, and our armed forces are unacceptable to every Filipino,” said Honasan, a four-time senator who had filed bills on public order and peace during his term in Congress. 

Honasan appealed to national leaders to show sobriety and utmost level of patriotism and statesmanship “for the sake of our children, who always look up to us as examples of political unity.”

“Buong pagpapakumbaba kong hinihimok sina Pangulong Bongbong Marcos at dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na maglaan ng kahit sandaling panahon para sila’y magkasama at makapagsagawa ng isang makabuluhang talakayan tungkol sa mga isyu at alalahanin ng ating bansa sa kasalukuyan at sa hinaharap,” said the former senator, who reminded the rival adversaries on the country’s need for unity given the current global situation.

The former senator, who campaigned for another Senate seat under the Marcos-Duterte UniTeam in the 2022 polls, emphasized his conviction that Filipinos possess the capability to lead their nation away from the ravages of war and prevent the consequences of a fractured society.

“Mahal ko ang Pilipinas, mahal ko ang mga Pilipino, at hind ako natatakot na isakripisyo ang aking buhay gaya ng aking ginawa sa nakaraan. Titindigan ko ito kung ang nakararaming kababayan natin ang patuloy na magdurusa sa gitna ng tensyong political sa pagitan ng tinitingnan pa naman nating mga lider nasyunal," Honasan continued.

“I have stood at the gates of the Presidential Palace in full combat gear many times in my life, both as a defender and attacker, driven by my conscience rather than an invitation or adventurism… and it was always my love for our country and our countrymen that had driven me to become a soldier, a public servant and an ordinary citizen.”