In a heartfelt message, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has asked his successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to ensure fairness as the country prepares for the midterm elections in May. Duterte made this appeal during a meeting of his political party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), in Davao City on Thursday. He expressed hope that Marcos would give all candidates an equal opportunity to compete in the elections.
Duterte, who is known for his straightforward way of speaking, said, “This coming election, I hope that the president, if he hears me, will give everyone a fair shake—a fair game. He will not allow, just as I did when I was president, any use of fear, intimidation, or violence.”
Duterte’s words were shared in a report on “24 Oras” on Friday. He reminded everyone that during his time as president, he openly advised people to avoid using fear or violence in politics. He wants the same fairness and peace to continue under Marcos’ leadership.
What’s Happening in the Elections?
Both Duterte and Marcos have chosen candidates they support for the Senate. Marcos is aiming for his chosen candidates to win all 12 available Senate seats. This is a big deal because the Senate plays a crucial role in making laws and decisions for the country.
However, Duterte and Marcos haven’t always seen eye to eye. Over the past year, they’ve disagreed on several important issues. For example:
- Changing the Constitution: Some people wanted to change the 1987 Constitution through a “people’s initiative,” but Duterte and Marcos had different opinions about this.
- Drug Use Allegations: Duterte once accused Marcos of using illegal drugs, which Marcos denied.
- Missing Funds in the 2025 Budget: There were claims that some money was missing from the national budget, which caused tension between the two leaders.
Trouble in the Administration
The relationship between Duterte and Marcos became even more complicated when Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, left Marcos’ administration in mid-2024. This happened after Marcos’ supporters in the House of Representatives started investigating Sara Duterte for allegedly misusing public funds.
Three impeachment complaints were filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, but Marcos said he would not support these complaints. He explained that going through with the impeachment process wouldn’t help improve the lives of Filipinos.
Why Does This Matter?
Elections are a time for people to choose their leaders, and fairness is crucial to make sure everyone has a chance to win based on their ideas and plans, not because of fear, intimidation, or violence. Duterte’s appeal to Marcos is a reminder that leaders should always prioritize fairness and peace, especially during important events like elections.
As the midterm elections approach, Filipinos will be watching closely to see how these political dynamics unfold and whether the call for fairness will be answered.
