Marcos wants freedom from divisiveness, cancel culture

MANILA, Philippines — In celebration of the 124th year of Philippine Independence, president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday called on Filipinos to break free from divisiveness, cancel culture and other “destructive attitudes,” which he said hinder the country’s progress.

In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Marcos said that his incoming administration will work hard to free the country from the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, though he will need the support of the public.

“The welfare of our workers, the small businesses and other sectors which have yet to go back to normal, those are the issues that we continue to tackle together with several experts,” Marcos said in Filipino.

Just last week, Marcos held a first meeting with his recently formed economic team supposedly to discuss his administration’s economic priorities once he assumes office on June 30.

He also cited his recent meetings with representatives from various countries, including the member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to discuss further collaborations, especially on the areas of trade, regional security and peace and order.

“The relationships that we continue to maintain and enhance with our neighbors in Southeast Asia are vital in ensuring peace and progress in the region as well as for trade and other interests that will be good for our country,” Marcos said.

He, however, said that apart from breaking loose from the adverse impacts of the COVID pandemic, the Filipino people must break free from an archaic, judgmental and destructive mindset which causes hate and divisiveness.

“Cancel culture, discrimination, violent hate crimes – all of these are no longer acceptable in our modern times. All of these divisiveness attitudes are hurting our society and slow down our recovery and progress,” Marcos continued.

“I hope we won’t allow ourselves to be conquered by this backward mindset. Let us be more respectful, accepting and understanding toward each other,” he added.

Marcos, nonetheless, said he is confident that the country can break free from the clutches of the pandemic and divisiveness, as Filipinos innately possess the attitudes to bounce back from adversities as displayed by Filipino ancestors and heroes who fought foreign conquerors.

“May it be freedom from conquerors, effects of the pandemic or divisiveness, Filipinos possess the qualities to rise up and succeed – and those qualities are intelligence, competence, bravery and most importantly, love for country. These attitudes are the foundations of our freedom... Happy Independence Day to us all,” Marcos said.

Marcos has been highlighting his pagkakaisa or “unity” platform even during his campaign for the presidency. He, however, has yet to present concrete ways on how to achieve unity amid the divisive issues of human rights abuses, impunity and corruption during martial law under the regime of his late father and namesake, as against the false claim that the martial law era was the golden age in Philippine history.