VP Sara Duterte urges voters to break 'bad voting habits'

Vice President Sara Duterte has called on Filipinos to abandon what she described as “bad habits” in choosing leaders, urging them to become more discerning voters in the upcoming elections.

In speeches delivered in Tondo and Quiapo in Manila on April 24 and 25, Duterte said she is not campaigning for any position but wants to remind the public to reflect on their electoral decisions.

“Hindi naman ako kandidato ngayong eleksyon na ito kaya ang ginagawa ko lang ay nagpapaalala lang ako sa ating mga kababayan sa mali natin na ugali sa pagpili ng ating mga leaders," she said.

(I am not a candidate in this year's elections. What I am doing is reminding our countrymen to change our wrong behavior in choosing our leaders.)

Duterte cited three common issues: the dominance of political dynasties, vote-buying, and the tendency to vote based on personality rather than performance.

“Unang-una, iyong [pagpili sa] mga galing sa malalaking political families. Pangalawa, iyong pagbibigay natin ang ating pagkatao para sa pera at para sa pagbili ng boto. At pangatlo, iyong hindi na natin tinatanong dahil kung sino lang ‘yung naaalala natin na napasaya tayo, napatawa tayo, sumayaw at kumanta noong kampanya, iyon lang ‘yung naaalala natin," she said.

(First, [choosing] those coming from big political families. Second, exchanging our principles for money and for vote buying. And third, not being critical because we just remember those who made us happy and laugh, those who danced and sang during the campaign -- that's what we remember.)

She also said having unfulfilled campaign promises is another consequence of superficial voting, citing the 2022 pledge of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to lower the price of rice to P20 per kilo.

“Ngayon, may halalan na naman, P20 per kilo ang bigas na naman ang usapan at sinasabi ng administrasyon," she said.

(Now that there are elections, the P20 per kilo rice is again being talked about and announced by the administration.)

Duterte emphasized that real change in the country begins with voters who take elections seriously.

“Dapat baguhin natin iyong ugali natin sa pagboto para meron tayong nakikita na mga bagong leaders at mayroon tayong nakikita na pagbabago sa ating bayan," she added.

(We should change the way we vote so we can have new leaders and we can see changes in our country.)

Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Wednesday announced the implementation of the sale of P20 per kilo of rice, which will be piloted in Visayas.

The P20 per kilo of rice was among the most popular campaign promises of Marcos during the 2022 elections.

Duterte however said it was just an election promise meant to boost the chances of the Marcos administration's senatorial candidates.

Malacañang hit back at Duterte, with Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro saying true government leaders should support the highest official of the country instead of making criticisms. —KG, GMA Integrated News

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