FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte warned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of suffering the same fate as his late father and namesake if the administration continues to push for Charter Change (cha-cha).
“Baka susunod ka sa dinaanan ng tatay mo. Dyan ako takot. Ayokong mangyari sayo nyan (You might follow the same path as your father. That’s what I’m afraid of. I don’t want that to happen to you),” Duterte said during his speech at the prayer rally in San Pedro Square on Jan. 28.
He disclosed that when he was still a mayor, he was shown a list by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) with President Marcos Jr.’s name on it.
He said the push for constitutional amendments would “divide the nation” and might lead to a bloody path for the President.
“It is your responsibility. What you do in this world binds you. Iyo yan. Wag mong sisihin ang ibang tao kasi sarili mong utak at katawan yan (Don’t blame others because it’s your body and mind),” Duterte said.
Duterte, who championed federalism for the longest time, said “nothing is wrong with the constitution,” so the motivation behind the movement might be the Marcos family’s “hunger for power.”
He further said the initiative comes from the president’s wife, Liza Araneta-Marcos, aiming to elevate their son, Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos, into a perpetual position.
“Kapag pinilit mo ito, lalabas ka ng Malacañang kagaya noong panahon na pinalayas kayo (If you force it, you will leave Malacañang as the day you were kicked out),” he said.
He claimed the people’s initiative is ” testing the waters” and pushing the limits of the Filipino people. He condemned the signature campaign as an act of bribery and deception of the people.
“You never educated the Filipino people. You want the people to remain ignorant para you can do what you want in the country,” he said the move of Marcos Jr. and his allies is “perpetrating themselves in power at the expense of the Filipino citizens.”
Duterte also called on the police and military to act on their mandate and protect the constitution.
The massive prayer rally dubbed “One Nation, One Opposition” on Sunday to oppose the continued efforts for charter change, was attended by an estimated 53,500 individuals, some hailing as far as Luzon and Visayas.
Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte earlier told PBBM to do his job or resign, during the Hakbang ng Maisug Leaders Forum in Grand Men Seng Hotel, a prelude to the rally.
