We knew that Mar-Dut drama all along

Marcos-Duterte or Mar-Dut was actually the concoction long agreed upon by both parties but kept in the wraps by the political strategists and tacticians of both the Marcos camp and the Duterte contingent. Late last Saturday, the cat was out of the bag, or should we say, the rabbit was released from the magician's hat. Bong-Sar or Bongbong-Sara was a foregone conclusion from the very start.

Only fools would be taken for a ride by these sophomoric political operators. If they have the temerity to believe that the intelligentsia took their initial camouflages and disguises at face value, they should think again. These charades of withdrawals and substitutions are not something new. We already saw that in 2016. If we were fooled by then, it would be the extreme case of stupidity to be hoodwinked again. If we may borrow that famous line by Cherry Gil, in the movie “Bituing Walang Ningning," these political manipulators are “nothing but second rate, trying hard copycats.”

The Filipinos may be silly when it comes to deciding who should lead our country, and even crazy in some of their past choices. But the people are not stupid. They may go along with the local mayor or provincial governors on local polls but when it comes to the presidency, they know how to stand for their own independent choices. In choosing local officials, most voters in this country are easily swayed in the name of friendship, or even for money and for malice. But when it comes to the president and vice president, they really use their own free will.

And so, it is our considered view that in Cebu, for instance, Governor Gwen will most probably win her reelection bid, but she cannot carry Bongbong Marcos and/or Sara Duterte-Carpio. If another Duterte wins again in Cebu, it is not because of the governor's endorsement but because of the Cebuanos' own decision to choose a Cebuano-speaking candidate. If Sara wins here, it will be on her own merits. But I am sure that here in Cebu, Bongbong Marcos can never win over Leni Robredo. In 2016, Leni got 807,922 while Marcos, despite all his money and logistics, only garnered 307,676. Cayetano, with 656,976, was second.

In Cebu City, Cayetano topped the vice presidential race, with 167,473 votes. The second place went to Robredo with 162,285, while Marcos got only 91,888. In Mandaue, it was 59,510 for Cayetano, 53,604 for Robredo and only 21,464 for Marcos. In Talisay, Cayetano had 36,196, Robredo got 30,878 and Marcos with only 15,267. Robredo won in Toledo with 31,294, followed by Cayetano with 23,670 while Marcos only got 9,346. The alliance between Marcos and Duterte can hardly affect this historical trend.

As of Saturday night, the president and Bong Go were in the Comelec head office. Go for president and Duterte for vice president. That means that Manong Rudy is opposing Inday Sara. This is crazy. And this kind of charade will be remembered as making a mockery of our electoral system. The people are getting sick and tired of this kind of political zarzuela or political pantomime.

 It's time for them to give the people a break. For once, let us be serious and respect the integrity of our democratic system. We should reject these aberrations and put our foot down on such travesties. Enough is enough.