Aquino-Dee opposes Marcos-Leni alliance; Palace urges halt to politics

A grandson of the late former President Corazon Aquino and former Sen. Benigno Aquino, Jr., sees nothing wrong with the meeting scheduled on Saturday between President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo.

However, Kiko Aquino-Dee, a senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines Department of Political Science, said he was consistently opposed to any alliance with Marcos, adding that he saw nothing beneficial in the Chief Executive's endorsement of any candidate in the 2028 elections.

"Again, he’s the most unpopular president since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and I know firsthand kung ano ang nangyari sa kandidato ni President Arroyo noong 2010,” said Aquino-Dee, a convenor of the Buhay ang People Power Network.

“Para sa akin, malinaw na hindi siya nakakatulong strategically; hindi rin siya katanggap-tanggap in terms of cause for justice para sa mga biktima ng batas militar —yung cause para sa historical distortion. So I want to be very clear: against ako sa ganyang alyansa,” he added.

(Again, he's the most unpopular president since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and I know firsthand what happened to the candidate of President Arroyo in 2010... Personally, he won't help strategically; he's also not acceptable in terms of justice for the victims of martial law, the cause for historical distortion. So I want to be very clear. I am against that kind of alliance.)

Sought for comment, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro urged a stop to politics.

"Huwag munang gumawa ng imahinasyon. Mag-focus sa kanyang-kanyang trabaho para hindi maligaw sa tamang mithiin. Ang nais ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ay sumulong para sa mas maayos, mas asensado, mas mapagkakatiwalaang  Bagong Pilipinas. Tumigil muna ang lahat sa pamumulitika," Castro said.

(Do not get carried away by the imagination. Focus on each person's work so we don't get distracted from the objective. President Marcos Jr. wants an orderly, progressive, and trustworthy Bagong Pilipinas. Everybody, stop politicking.)

Aquino-Dee was at the EDSA People Power Monument for the preparations on the observance of the 40th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution, which led to then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. stepping down from power.

Aquino-Dee's grandmother, Corazon Aquino, then took over as President.

"Parang responsibility naman ni President Marcos na bumisita sa iba't ibang parte ng Pilipinas dahil presidente siya, so 'yon. He’s choosing to do that responsibility mabuti naman. I wish he did his other responsibilities, too,” said Dee, a convenor of the Buhay ang People Power Network.

"Ako po ay consistent na tutol sa ganoong alliance. Pero ayun, that’s up to VP Leni to decide.  But siguro if, I don't know if my opinion is asked, pero if my opinion is asked, hindi ako sang-ayon; wala akong paniniwala na makakatulong sa kahit sinong kandidato ang endorsement ni President Marcos,” he added.

(It's President Marcos' responsibility to visit parts of the country because he's the president. It's good that he's choosing to take on that responsibility. I wish he did his other responsibilities, too... I've been consistent in opposing that kind of alliance, but that's up to VP Leni. If asked for my opinion, I'm not in favor. I don't think that President Marcos' endorsement will help any candidate.) –