Marcos: Do we return to time of gloom or go on to bright future?

ILOILO CITY–President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday continued to campaign for the senatorial candidates he has endorsed, asking voters to choose between returning to a time of gloom or continuing towards a bright future.

At the rally in this city were the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas candidates former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Lito Lapid, Senator Imee Marcos, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Senator Francis Tolentino, former Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, and House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.

The President said the candidates of the administration slate are “not here to oppose; they are here to propose.”

Iloilo province is considered a vote-rich area with 1,649,730 voters, according to the Commission on Elections.

“Babalik ba tayo sa nakaraan na ibinubugaw ang ating bayan bilang isang sugalan ng mga dayuhan? Babalik ba tayo sa landas na umaapaw sa dugo ng mga inosenteng mga bata na inakyat sa bahay, inagaw sa kanilang mga ina at kinuha ang kanilang kinabukasan?” Marcos said in his speech. 

“Alam niyo po, dalawa po ang pagpipilian na ngayon natin. Mamimili ba tayo na babalik tayo sa panahon ng lagim o tayo ba ay tutungo patuloy sa ating kinabukasan na maliwanag, na mapayapa, at maganda para sa lahat ng Pilipino?” he added. 

(Are we going to the past when our country was made a gambling haven for foreigners? Will we return to the path bloodied by the blood of innocent children who were taken from their homes and their mothers, and whose futures were taken away? We have two choices. Shall we return to the time of gloom or shall we continue to the bright tomorrow that is peaceful and beneficial for all Filipinos?)

Marcos didn't mention specifics but he issued in November 2024 an executive order banning Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country after POGO hubs figured in allegations of human trafficking and even torture.

Dela Rosa on Thursday took exception to Marcos' remarks in Ilocos Norte, calling them "uncalled for."

On Marcos' remarks on bloodied hands, Dela Rosa said, "Okay lang kung iba-brand niyo ako na may bahid ng dugo ang kamay kung ang dugo na 'yun ay dugo ng masasamang tao at nagkabahid ng dugo ang aking kamay. Dahil sa aking pagpo-protekta sa buhay ng matitino, mababait, at matulungin sa batas." 

(If you will brand me as someone who has blood on his hands, and that blood is the blood of evil people, then I'm okay with that. I was protecting the lives of decent and kind people, and those who help implement the law.)

Dela Rosa was the chief of the Philippine National Police when then-President Rodrigo Duterte first implemented his nationwide war on drugs. They are under investigation by the International Criminal Court for the killings blamed on the anti-drug campaign. –NB, GMA Integrated News

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