President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not mention the name of his successor, Rodrigo Duterte, in his proclamation rally, but he focused on some of the most controversial issues against the former president.
At the Alyansa para Bagong Pilipinas campaign kickoff rally in Ilocos Norte, Marcos emphatically stated that none of his senate candidates were connected to the tokhang—the notorious police operation that has become a symbol of the bloody war on drugs.
"None of them have blood stains because of the beating," Marcos said in his speech on Tuesday, February 11.
Marcos' candidates in the senate consisted of his brother, Sen. Imee Marcos, former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., Makati Mayor Abby Binay, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Sen. Lito Lapid, ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo, Sen. Francis Tolentino, former senator Manny Pacquiao, former Senate president Tito Sotto, Sen. Bong Revilla, former senator Panfilo Lacson, and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.
Besides being clean on the tokhang issue, Marcos also boasted that none of his candidates sympathized with China and its claims in the West Philippine Sea.
Duterte has often been criticized for his close relationship with China despite its intrusions into Philippine waters. Duterte even admitted that he has an agreement with Beijing to maintain the status quo in the West Philippine Sea. During his term, Chinese ships were often seen in Philippine waters, but Duterte often ignored Beijing's actions.
"None of them applaud China and are happy when we are bombarded with water, hit our Coast Guard, block our fishermen, steal their catch, and on top of that, seize our islands to become part of their country," said Marcos.
The president added that none of his candidates were involved in corruption during the pandemic. During Duterte's term, the Pharmally scandal—a major corruption case involving P10 billion worth of questionable pandemic deals—was uncovered.
Marcos also hinted about a "false prophet" accused of abusing women and children.
Although no name was mentioned, Duterte is known to support Apollo Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed "Son of God" who is wanted in sexual abuse cases. President Marcos added that none of his candidates defended the Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), which he banned after proliferating during the Duterte era and becoming a hotbed of criminal activities such as human trafficking and fraud.
Marcos' relationship with Duterte's clan also worsened in 2024, when their Uniteam alliance ended after Vice President Sara Duterte allegedly threatened death against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Rodrigo Duterte even tried to measure his influence by questioning the military's loyalty to Marcos, although he stopped short of calling for a coup. Meanwhile, the campaign season officially began on February 11 and will end on May 10, ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.
