Sara scores Alyansa for pulling Philippines ‘back to darkness’

MANILA, Philippines — In her last pitch for the senatorial candidates endorsed by her family, Vice President Sara Duterte took a swipe against President Marcos and candidates whom she accused of forming an “alliance” that she said would sink the country deeper into poverty.

The Vice President, in her speech at the miting de avance of the “Dutert10” in Manila on Thursday, told the audience about alleged rumors of a so-called manipulation of election results by a group that she called “alyansa.”

“There are reports that the widespread election manipulation of ‘alyansa’ has already started in various parts of the country,” she said.

She added that the “alyansa” would be ready to “bring us back to the darkness of narcopolitics, to the nightmares of Filipinos left out especially after Typhoon Yolanda and enslave us with poverty, lies and power.”

The Vice President also declared that the voters “unfortunately chose a leader who doesn’t have the capability to understand the real situation of Filipinos.”

“We are now paying the price for choosing the wrong leader. We can see the shameless violation of our Constitution. We are being led by a person who still refuses to undergo a public hair follicle drug test and lies about the P20 rice,” she said.

She added, “What is more painful is they kidnapped the former president and swiftly cast him out to another country to be tried by foreigners,” referring to her father, currently detained in the ICC in the Netherlands.

She slammed the efforts of unnamed officials to “humiliate and insult Filipinos by giving ayuda or dole-outs to buy their votes.”

The Vice President urged the audience: “On May 12, let us vote with dignity, let us vote with courage. Let us show the world that no amount of vote buying or cheating can suppress the fury burning in our hearts.”

Meanwhile, Kabataan party-list urged Kitty Duterte to continue fighting for what is right, not just when her family’s own interest is affected.

“Public service may not be your calling, but timing and consistency matters. Yes, fight for what is right, Kitty, but not just when your interests are affected,” Kabataan party-list first nominee Renee Co said in a statement.

In an earlier speech, Kitty expressed her reluctance to meddle in politics, citing that she was only compelled to speak up because her family is now affected. — Jose Rodel Clapano