KBL endorses BBM for president

MANILA, Philippines — Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) yesterday nominated former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to be its presidential candidate for next year’s elections, but the son of the late dictator has yet to announce his acceptance.

In a taped message aired during the KBL national assembly, Marcos said he is “close” to announcing a decision but needs more time to make up his mind.

“You cannot rush these things and I fully intend to take all the available time that I have to make my decision. It is very important and it is not something that should be rushed without having the most complete knowledge about the political situation at every level,” he said.

Marcos – who lost the 2016 vice presidential race to Leni Robredo – was endorsed by the party founded by his father but is currently under the banner of Nacionalista Party.

Marcos said that he continues to pursue informal talks with different political parties and groups. However, he admitted that potential allies are getting few as a number of presidential and vice presidential candidates have already announced their candidacies.

“All. Everybody who is in the mix, we talk to them,” the former senator said in English and Filipino, adding that the preparations and political negotiations are different for this coming electoral season.

“This election is different. Usually, the parties themselves will be discussing with the leadership of the different parties if an alliance is possible. But this time, it’s not the case because the campaign is going to be run very much on an individualistic basis because of the pandemic,” Marcos said.

While he admitted that the nomination warms his heart, he also has to look at the “practical side” as he is closely assessing his chances of winning should he run.

“But we also have to look at what you call the practical side: if this is a shot to the moon or if this is practical. Can we win this? Or should we think of another plan. I do not think it’s up to you to decide whether it’s your destiny or not. It’s only the higher power that can determine that,” Marcos pointed out.

Big no

Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) chairman Danilo Ramos said they oppose Marcos’ nomination and that KBL has become “nothing but a mere nuisance in Philippine politics.”

The group said Marcos should’ve learned from what transpired in 2016.

“He will not win because the people will not allow him to go back to Malacañang. We say a big no to Marcos’ political ambitions and candidacy as president. Not in this lifetime and not ever,” Ramos said.

He also slammed Marcos’ controversial interview session with a celebrity vlogger and said that the stunt earned him more ire than popularity.

“He cannot revise and twist historical facts. His family’s decades of plundering and criminality will always be etched in the country’s history. There will be no forgive and forget for the Marcoses,” Ramos stressed. – Rainier Allan Ronda, Rhodina Villanueva