Save the Philippines from Marcos and Duterte

The Marcos presidency is definitely one we should not repeat. Never again. Another Duterte in the Palace is a political suicide for the nation and for our people. Never again. We need to expand the field of choices. We need a formidable third force. We need integrity with competence.

The only one who can beat VP Sara is former VP Leni Robredo with the backing of the administration. The only one who can outflank, outwit, and outsmart Senator Rodante Marcoleta (with the backing of the Iglesia) is Raffy Tulfo with the solid support of GenZs and millennial netizens. It will be a hotly-contested do-or-die election in 2028.

The DDS are using the impeachment and The Hague trial as double boomerang which the Duterte strategists are palpably taking advantage of to generate more sympathy votes from the uncommitted. The Sara campaign team envisions portraying the vice president and her father as victims of political harassment by what they consider a lame duck administration. The Dutertes are currently consolidating leaders in Mindanao and the Visayas and solidifying the Visayan vote in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

On the other hand, the BBM administration loyalists are basking in the distinct advantage of being the holder of the Palace, the ones having control of the budget and the close supervision over all local government units. The president as commander-in-chief of all armed forces is presumed to enjoy the loyalty of the military and the police. No matter what the DDS would say, BBM has the House speaker and the Senate president behind the administration. And with the speaker, the large majority of the House members.

Notwithstanding some apprehensions being expressed by the yellow and pink sectors of the political spectrum, on the dangers of the liberals and the progressive sectors being in alliance with the right, in politics, a major tactical advantage cannot be wasted for the sake of extremist ideological partisanship. What is important is that Sara should be prevented from capturing power. Many silent observers fear that a victory for the Dutertes will mean going back to EJK, to Alice Guo, to the POGOs and the Pharmally fiascos.

Only Leni has the moral stature to stand up to the audacity, the overbearing and somewhat arrogant stance of the Dutertes. Only Leni can present a decent, honorable and honest alternative to the Duterte traditional, transactional and high-handed politics. Only Leni can present a more respectable and dignified platform of good government that respects human life and human rights, that serves with integrity and respect, that upholds honor and high standards of morality.

If Sara wins, the nation will most probably bow to the impositions and importuning of China, may surrender all our terrestrial and maritime domain in the West Philippine Sea, may persecute political enemies and resurrect the threats and intimidations against mere suspects of drugs. But if Leni wins, we shall revive our moral traditions as a God-fearing people who cherish and protect our ultimate dream to build a truly just and humane society. If Sara wins, we will have more family dynasties, and the likes of Bong Go, Robinhood Padilla, and Bato de la Rosa shall govern the nation with their antics.

If and when Leni agrees to run again and BBM decides to rally the Solid North to her side, then there is a big chance to defeat the DDS. The more than 45 million Tulfo followers can join the forces of the Gen Zs, the millennials, the students, the Church, the progressive civil society and the more enlightened factions of the labor and urban poor sector. The moral stature of Leni and the passionate fighting stance of Raffy is the perfect formula to defeat the DDS.

Sara and Marcoleta both represent the politics of traditional, patronage, paternalistic, transactional style of influence-peddling and power brokering. Leni and Raffy carry the banner of liberty, freedom and human rights. The DDS groups are identified with bullying tactics and high-handed style of governance, while Leni and Raffy represent a consultative, participative and inclusive style of servant leadership. The nation deserves better and really more after BBM.

The choice is clear; the lines are very sharply distinctive. If the people want a good government and hate corruption, ineptitude, and lack of accountability then they should choose the side that will always uphold the truth and value human life and basic human rights.