Wazzup Pilipinas!?
Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s endorsement of the National Rally for Peace organized by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) on January 13 has stirred both praise and backlash, reflecting the complex political dynamics in the Philippines.
In a video statement, Duterte thanked INC Executive Minister Ka Eduardo Manalo for mobilizing the religious group’s members to advocate for peace, unity, and prayer amid the country’s challenges. He emphasized the need for collective action and denounced what he described as “divisive” and “self-serving” political actions, calling for an end to impeachment efforts and urging the nation to “move forward as one.”
“This is what our country needs in these critical times. Not impeachment. Not waste of government resources. Not self-serving schemes. Not divisive action. We must UNITE. We must move forward as ONE. We must SERVE our people,” Duterte proclaimed.
Critics Call Out Hypocrisy
Duterte’s statements have been met with sharp criticism, with many accusing the former president of hypocrisy. Social media commentators pointed out that Duterte’s administration was characterized by divisiveness, troll-driven politics, and policies allegedly serving personal or political interests.
“He wasted government resources. Everything he did was self-serving and divisive, and he never served but demanded to be served. The Senate and Congress had their tails between their legs under his toxic rule,” one comment read.
Others highlighted Duterte’s controversial stance toward China and his refusal to cooperate with international investigations into alleged human rights violations during his presidency.
“Justice and accountability first before we can move forward. The country needs you to face the ICC and prove your innocence,” said another critic.
A Shield for Sara Duterte?
House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Representative France Castro went further, alleging that the rally was a calculated move to shield Vice President Sara Duterte from mounting calls for accountability.
Castro noted that the rally coincided with public clamor for answers regarding Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds during her term as Education Secretary and her role in the country’s declining educational performance.
“This rally is not about peace and unity. It's a calculated move to protect Vice President Duterte from answering serious allegations,” Castro stated, citing survey results showing that 41% of Filipinos support her impeachment.
She argued that peace and unity could not be achieved without justice and accountability:
“The Filipino people deserve answers. Walang rally ang makakapagbura sa katotohanang dapat managot ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno sa kanilang mga ginawa. Walang tunay na kapayapaan kung walang hustisya.”
Public Sentiment Divided
Duterte’s call for unity has also reignited debates about the nation’s political trajectory under his leadership. Critics pointed out that his administration fostered division, with troll farms spreading misinformation to manipulate public opinion.
“Coming from the person who was willing to make the country a province of China, this ‘unity’ rhetoric rings hollow. He started the extreme division in politics with his troll armies,” said a disillusioned observer.
Meanwhile, supporters of Duterte argue that the former president’s leadership brought significant progress and that his call for unity is timely amid the country’s current challenges.
Unity Without Accountability?
The broader implications of Duterte’s statements and the INC rally highlight a critical issue: can peace and unity be achieved without addressing justice and accountability? For many, true progress requires reckoning with past abuses and ensuring that those who misuse power face consequences.
While Duterte and his allies push for unity, the clamor for reforms in governance, accountability for past actions, and an end to political theatrics remains loud. As one critic aptly put it:
“There is no unity in betrayal of public trust. No unity with criminals and plunderers. No unity without justice.”
The rally, though framed as a call for peace, has instead intensified public scrutiny, ensuring that discussions about accountability remain central to the national conversation.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
Post a Comment