Hontiveros: Gov’t conditioning public’s mind on term extension, Marcos compromise deal
The opposition senator said the Marcos compromise deal will strengthen the political alliance of the government of President Rodrigo Duterte, while federalism will extend the term limits of “power-hungry officials.” Office of Risa Hontiveros/Released, File
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Friday questioned the sudden talks of term extension and alleged compromise deal between the Marcoses and the government, saying these are the current administration’s attempts to sway public opinion.
In a statement, Hontiveros said these possibilities and proposals from key government officials are “part of an elaborate political communication strategy to measure and massage public opinion.”
The opposition senator said the Marcos compromise deal will strengthen the political alliance of the government of President Rodrigo Duterte, while federalism will extend the term limits of “power-hungry officials.”
“After all, these twin political projects will determine the fate of the Duterte government,” she added.
Hontiveros urged the Filipinos not to be deceived by what she called as government’s attempt to “condition them into accepting its grand political schemes.”
“Together with its command of fake news, the Duterte government is testing the waters, measuring public perception regarding the acceptability of its twisted political projects and conditioning the people's mind to create false consent. It is a classic feature of an authoritarian regime,” she said.
Hontiveros added: “The fear of public opinion by authoritarian leaders points to the potential of our voices as a force of good. We must not be intimidated and silenced.”
READ: Pangilinan warns of 10-year term extension for Duterte
Term extension, compromise deal
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez earlier floated a “no-election” scenario in 2019, while Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said a term extension for the president is possible to ensure a smooth transition to federalism.
But Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque stressed that Duterte does not want to extend his term, which will end in 2022.
He said that Duterte also made it clear that midterm elections will push through as mandated by the Constitution.
On the other hand, lawyer Oliver Lozano proposed a settlement to drop all cases against the Marcoses in exchange for a cut of the family’s ill-gotten wealth.
The Marcos family has distanced itself from Lozano’s proposal.
- Latest
- Trending
