Did Marcos Spread Misleading Statement in their Davao Del Norte Campaign Rally?
Mr. President Marcos Jr., your remarks in Davao del Norte last Saturday about the candidates running under former President Duterte’s senatorial slate for the May 2025 midterm elections were, frankly, quite the spectacle. Not only were they MISLEADING, but they also flirted dangerously close to the realm of FAKE NEWS. And here you are, the President of the Republic, spreading misinformation and fake news like it’s a national pastime. Wow! My golly golly, wow!
One has to wonder if the Tri-Com in the House of Representatives (HOR) should consider inviting the President of the Republic to their congressional hearing on fake news, misinformation, and disinformation in aid of legislation. After all, who better to shed light on the topic than the leader of the country himself who just had a tirade against the Duterte camp in a political campaign rally in Davao del Norte spreading misleading information, right? Surely, the president as a resource speaker in the Tri-Com hearing will be able to shed light on this matter based on experience, right? What do you think, folks??
I mean, after all, who better to enlighten us on the subject matter than the very leader of the country himself? After all, he just delivered an impassioned tirade against the Duterte camp at a political rally in Davao del Norte, generously sprinkling the whole thing with misleading information and fake news.
Surely, the president, with his firsthand experience in spreading ‘alternative facts,’ “misleading information,” and “fake news,” would be a goldmine of insights at a Tri-Com hearing. It’s not every day that you get a front-row seat to a political show, right? What do you think, folks? Should the Tri-Com of the HOR hand him the mic and let him share his expertise on “misleading information and fake news? The President seems to be an expert on this now that we are treading the campaign period leading to the May 2025 mid-term elections. It will definitely be a political spectacle to watch! Yey!
Seriously, folks, it’s truly a shame to witness such behavior from the highest office in the land. As the President, one would expect a bit more sensitivity and responsibility, especially when making sweeping statements on sensitive and critical issues like the South China Sea (SCS) dispute. But I suppose we’re all entitled to a little bit of presidential dramatics and theatrics now and then, just not when it comes to the truth.
Mga Ka-Bansa, Marcos Jr.’s statement that the Philippines could become a “province of China” under Duterte’s administration is not JUST MISLEADING; IT’S A TEXTBOOK EXAMPLE OF POLITICAL MANIPULATION AND NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING cunningly playing on the nationalistic sentiments and raw emotions of Filipinos. This is MANIPULATIVE!
This kind of rhetoric preys on those who are blissfully unaware of the intricate, complex, and often confusing and complicated dynamics of the SCS dispute. Is this really the kind of leadership we deserve in our country? A master manipulator who thinks stirring up fear and divisiveness is the best way to win support for his senatorial slate? Goodness!
While Marcos Jr.’s dramatic claim might strike a chord with certain political factions in the Philippines, IT DOES NOTHING BUT OVERSIMPLY the highly complex and nuanced issues that underpin the SCS dispute. Of course, it’s easier to appeal to emotions than to actually engage with the real, messy details of international geopolitics and international relations. But who needs facts when you’ve got political theatrics, dramatics, and manipulation coming from the head of state, right? CRAZY in every possible way!!! Kaloka!
Folks, if you’re looking to understand why Marcos Jr. spread fake news at his campaign rally in Davao del Norte, I highly recommend reading Mr. Bobi Tiglao’s article entitled, “ Marcos Spreads Fake News on China at Political Rally.” It’s a must-read for those trying to make sense of the situation. You can find the link to the article here; see the link below. In fact, I’ll be delving into the same topic in my upcoming article, where I’ll provide further analysis and substantiate the points raised by Mr. Tiglao.
Link to the article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/02/17/opinion/columns/marcos-spreads-fake-news-on-china-at-political-rally/2056632?fbclid=IwY2xjawIfnNRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHY-7B77yJFq8OUH_vJCCFmUpLKa6O_fMhF5B8mf5YD4scNHuXWgPJR7UQw_aem_s3AsGdgOVVPUHPvVYQHz2w
Moreover, let’s clarify a few points for our fellow citizens: Under Duterte’s presidency, the Philippines pursued an INDEPENDENT FOREIGN POLICY — a nation that is a friend to all and an enemy to none, perfectly aligned with the principles outlined in our 1987 Constitution. Duterte took a more pragmatic approach with China, focusing on economic engagement while simultaneously working to address the SCS disputes through diplomatic, peaceful negotiations, which is the best course of action and the way forward, in contrast with the belligerent, confrontational, and mega-diplomacy approach of the current Marcos Jr. administration, which is costing our economy in many respects.
Duterte’s critics may claim that Duterte’s strategy weakened the Philippines’ position in the maritime conflict, but that argument is simply FALSE. Under Duterte, the Philippines did not lose any of our claimed features in the SCS. Now, Marcos Jr.’s assertion that the Philippines could have become a ‘province of China’ is not only UNFOUNDED, but it also COMPLETELY LACKS MERITS. It’s nothing more than a blatant exercise of POLITICAL MANIPULATION coming from the president of the Republic. Goodness, what a disheartening display from someone in the highest office of the land.
Moreover, Filipinos, it’s high time to wake up and realize that under the current administration of Marcos Jr., the Philippines has become a “US LACKEY,” with Marcos Jr. himself playing the role of a “puppet, the likes of Zelensky of Ukraine, happily bowing to the whims, caprices, and desires of Uncle Sam. Let’s face it: this is compromising the country’s independence, autonomy, and sovereignty to such an extent that we’re essentially looking like the 52nd state of the United States or even worst, the pawn of the United States against China in the geopolitical competition between the two superpowers in the Asia Pacific region and beyond under a Marcos Jr.’s regime. Isn’t that the reality we’re living in? Again, folks, let’s call a spade, a spade!
Folks, the signs are everywhere, but some of us seem too comfortable to take notice. A glaring manifestation is the addition of four new EDCA-US military bases on top of the existing ones already scattered across Philippine soil. But that’s not all. There’s also the prepositioning of high-level military assets like the Typhoon Missile system, which has stirred negative and adverse reactions from ASEAN countries, China, and Russia, all of which are none too pleased. And let’s not forget the boots on the ground by US forces, which, let’s be honest, is exactly what we hoped to avoid and de-escalate under a Trump 2.0. presidency. Instead, we’re witnessing the Philippines being dragged deeper into the geopolitical maneuvering of superpowers – maneuvering that will bring us ABSOLUTELY NO BENEFIT. In fact, it’s to our DETRIMENT as a nation that could harm our people.
If this isn’t enough to make you raise an eyebrow, then I don’t know what is. The unfortunate truth is that under Marcos Jr., the Philippines is becoming little more than a semi-colony of the United States, with OUR SOVEREIGNTY AND INDEPENDENCE SOLD OUT more than we care to acknowledge in exchanges of Marcoses-Romualdez’s personal interests over the national interests of the country. Is this not the case under Marcos Jr., folks? You tell me because only the TRUTH will set this country free.
Is this really the kind of country we want, mga Ka-bansa? Imagine what our forefathers—the heroes and heroines who fought for our independence during the Spanish, American, and Japanese colonization would think. If they could rise from their graves, they’d be shouting and sobbing angrily IN DISGUST at how the Philippines has turned out under Marcos Jr.’s leadership. My GOD!”
