Thursday, August 16, 2018

Marcos replacing Duterte? 'Not a shocker, but #NeverAgain'

Although President Rodrigo Duterte's choice isn't unexpected, some Filipinos hope it wouldn't become reality

It appears no one was surprised when Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque declared Thursday, August 16, that President Rodrigo Duterte would resign if former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr wins his election protest.

After all, Duterte and Marcos are known allies, and the President himself said way back in October 2016 that the Philippines could have a new vice president if Marcos wins his case over Vice President Leni Robredo.

Duterte also repeated earlier this week that he wants someone like Marcos to succeed him.

But although the President's choice isn't unexpected, some Filipinos hope it wouldn't become reality.

For them, #NeverAgain to another Marcos as president – not after the Martial Law era under the former senator's father, Ferdinand Marcos. The period was marred by human rights abuses and corruption.

Duterte might resign if Bongbong wins VP poll protest — Palace

(Updated 1:35 p.m.) — President Rodrigo Duterte might fulfill his promise of stepping down from office if defeated vice presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. wins his electoral protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday said Duterte has been worried about his successor as he wants a "better qualified" person to replace him.

"If there's a better leader or if there's a qualified leader to take over and he has said that Senator Bongbong Marcos is one of the better qualified leaders to succeed him, if there's developments and he will win the protest and he becomes vice president, yes, he will make true on his word," Roque said in a press briefing.

On Tuesday, Duterte said he was tired with his fight against corruption and, once again, mentioned his intention to step down.

"While I am not against or angry against anybody. My chase against graft and corruption seems to be endless and it has contaminated almost all government departments and offices," Duterte said.

Roque, on the other hand, clarified that Duterte would not be resigning any time soon.

"For now, he remains president," Roque said.

In April, the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, started the recount of votes for the election protest of Marcos against Robredo.

Marcos, son of ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos, claimed there was "massive cheating" in the vice presidential race, which caused him to lose against Robredo by some 260,000 votes.

On Wednesday, Duterte said he prefers Marcos or Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero as his successors if ever he steps down as president.

Both Marcos and Escudero ran for vice president in 2016 with the late Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Sen. Grace Poe as their running mates, respectively.

Duterte did not even mention his 2016 running mate, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

Asked about Duterte's preference on his possible successor, Roque insisted that Cayetano remains the president's top pick.

"Let's see what Alan Cayetano has to say about that... I'm sure his number one preference is Cayetano," Roque said, adding that Escudero and Marcos are not the only people included in Duterte's list of preferred successors.

"I guess he was just saying that there's so many other people who are better qualified but I'm sure the list is longer than just those two," Roque said.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/08/16/1843117/duterte-might-resign-if-bongbong-wins-vp-poll-protest-palace

Duterte might step down if Bongbong wins poll protest — Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte may make true of his promise to step down if former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos wins his electoral protest against Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo, Malacañang said Thursday.

Duterte on Tuesday said he was already “tired” and wanted to step down but would want the likes of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero to succeed him.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the President’s remark was just “statement of exasperation.”

“Well, what he actually said is a real statement of exasperation and genuine wish to step down if there’s a better leader or a qualified leader to take over, and he has said that he thinks that Senator Bongbong Marcos is one of the better qualified leader to succeed him if there is a development and he wins the protest and he becomes the vice president, yes he will make true his word,” Roque said in a Palace briefing.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the vice president becomes the president should the highest political post in the country becomes vacant.

Duterte has belittled Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo’s qualities as a leader.

Robredo is facing an electoral protest before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) after Marcos accused the vice president of cheating him in the May 2016 elections, which also catapulted Duterte to the presidency.

“If he (Marcos) wins, if he becomes vice president, perhaps the President he will make true his word, he will step down. Because what he is worried about is if we use Constitutional succession, then the successor may not be qualified,” Roque said.

“That’s a conclusion that you can make,” he added. /je

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1021985/duterte-bongbong-marcos-electoral-protest-leni-robredo-palace-vice-president#ixzz5ORXkFG8X
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Not Leni nor Alan: Duterte prefers Bongbong, Chiz to succeed him

President Rodrigo Duterte recently stated that his ideal replacements should he step down are Sen. Francis Escudero and former senator Bongbong Marcos, and not sitting Vice President Leni Robredo.

Duterte’s statement came less than a month after he expressed belief that Robredo could be a capable president.

The president’s preference

Duterte made the statement at a conference with the Kapisanan ng Mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas on Tuesday.

“I think deep in my heart, if you follow the succession and Robredo takes over, she can’t handle it. That’s my honest opinion. I wish it were someone in the likes of Escudero or Bongbong Marcos,” Duterte said.

In a separate statement, Duterte claimed that Robredo was incapable of assuming the presidency as her hometown Naga had  become a “hotbed of shabu.”

“I am hesitant to suggest a constitutional succession. I have nothing against Robredo. She’s a lawyer. You have heard her talk. But I do not think she can improve on anything here,” he said.

Duterte has been critical of the vice president in recent months. In July 2018, the 73-year old chief executive said that he would not step down so that Robredo would not become president.

A month later, he commented that Robredo would be a capable successor in the event that he passed away.

His recent criticism came less than a month since his rare expression of confidence in Robredo.

Critics reminded the president to follow both the succession of leaders as mandated by the current constitution and the results of the 2016 elections.

Duterte has been consistently for Bongbong

Marcos, who finished second to Robredo in the vice presidential race, has been praised by Duterte even before the latter’s presidency.

In February 2016, Duterte remarked that he would give the presidency to Marcos if he was unable to fulfill his promise of ending crime in the country within three to six months. This is despite the fact that the president ran alongside then vice presidential candidate and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who donated an amount larger than his own net worth to Duterte’s campaign kitty.

It was also during Duterte’s presidency that the remains of Marcos’ father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, were buried in the Libingan ng Mga Bayani.

The Supreme Court decision that allowed the move was widely protested.

Robredo and Marcos are currently awaiting the results of a recount of the vice-presidential, following protests from Marcos’ camp.

Escudero and Marcos have aligned with the administration despite running for vice-president alongside Duterte’s opponents in the 2016 polls.

Duterte’s running mate in the elections was current Foreign affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, who finished third behind Robredo and Marcos.

Robredo’s legal adviser Barry Gutierrez hit back at the criticism by reminding Duterte that Cayetano was his running mate, and not Escudero or Marcos.

President prefers the likes of Marcos, Escudero as successor

President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday he would step down if the likes of Sen. Francis Escudero and former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. would succeed him.

The President said he was not in favor of Vice President Leni Robredo, who defeated  Marcos, an ally of the President.

“I think deep in my heart, if you follow the succession and Robredo takes over, she’s not capable (of leading),” he said.

Constitutional successor

The President reiterated his claim that Naga City, the hometown of Robredo, was a hotbed of illegal drugs.

His spokesperson, Harry Roque, said the President was serious about leaving Malacañang only if he believed in his successor.

Told that Robredo was the constitutional successor of the President, Roque said: “That’s right and that’s why he will not resign.”

Barry Gutierrez, Robredo’s spokesperson, snapped back at the President, who had been appointing officials to the Cabinet who bungled their stints in office.

“The ‘competent’ people according to the President: the (former) tourism secretary who did nothing but steal; the head of the (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) who disappeared during floods, and the National Food Authority chief under whose watch, the country’s rice supply has disappeared,” Gutierrez said in a statement.

Escudero was flattered by the President’s endorsement.

“That’s his belief. As I said, it’s flattering but that’s as far as it goes,” he told reporters.

House opposition

Opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives came to the defense of Robredo.

“It’s very clear that Vice President Robredo is competent to become the President of the republic just in case,” said Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado.

Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo reminded the President that the 1987 Constitution explicitly states that the Vice President is his lawful successor.

Despite their political differences, Robredo has consistently expressed her support for the President’s leadership, according to Quimbo. —With reports from Melvin Gascon, DJ Yap and Marlon Ramos

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1021869/president-prefers-the-likes-of-marcos-escudero-as-successor

Duterte bares plan to quit: Robredo? No; Marcos? Yes

President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday he would step down from office if former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. or Senator Francis Escudero—and not Vice President Leni Robredo—would succeed him.

In a speech during a dinner he hosted for the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas in Malacañang, Duterte belittled Robredo’s ability to lead the country, saying she could not be a good leader compared to Marcos or Escudero.

The President said he had nothing against Robredo but said he did not think she was capable of running a country with pressing problems, such as the drug menace.

Duterte said he thought of stepping down because the fight against corruption was seemingly without n end.

“I think deep in my heart if you follow the succession and Robredo takes over, no. That’s my honest opinion. If only it were someone else, in the likes of Escudero or Bongbong Marcos,” he said.

This was not the first time the President cast doubts on Robredo’s ability to be President.

Both Marcos and Escudero lost in the 2016 vice presidential race against Robredo. Marcos, however, has a pending election protest before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal.

Duterte has also said he would step down as early as next year, if the proposed federal charter is ratified by the public.

Robredo’s legal adviser, Barry Gutierrez, lashed out at the President for saying he would prefer a military junta to lead the country than to follow the Constitution’s law of succession that Robredo should take over the presidency if he steps down.

He said it was not Robredo who was incompetent, but Duterte’s Cabinet officials who were.

“They [officials] are competent, according to the President. Look [at the former] tourism secretary who did nothing but to commit corruption, the NDRRMC head who was missing in action during the floods, [and the] National Food Authority chief who had caused a rice shortage,” he said.

He added that the vice president did not need a presidential endorsement.

“Just abide by the Constitution,” Gutierrez said.

Escudero said he was flattered to be included in the President’s list of worthy successors, but said Duterte had no legal say in making this happen.

“I think he merely expressed his frustration due to the slow pace of what he wanted to see and achieve in our country in the field of corruption and peace,” Escudero said.

The Palace on Wednesday said the President was in good health and active after he said he was tired and thinking of stepping down.

In a press briefing in Malacanang,  Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the 73-year-old President is very active, very sharp and obviously does not suggest any problem in his physical condition.

“I assure you that he’s strong and healthy. He is almost everywhere all the time,” Duque said.

Last year, in one of his speaking engagement, Duterte said that he has been experiencing migraines and back pains caused by problems with his spine.

He also admitted having Buerger’s disease, a cause of blockages in the blood vessels, which he acquired from smoking during his youth, and Barrett’s esophagus, which is associated with an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, meanwhile, said he is in favor of the President taking a needed respite from his daily task of running the government, just like other leaders of foreign governments do.

At the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay on Wednesday held at the Café Adriatico in Manila, Dominguez said the Chief Executive has been working “nonstop” for two years and a break from his job might be needed.

“That guy is 73 years old and working nonstop for two years,” Dominguez said, adding the daily task of steering the government, running after corrupt government workers, drug problems, and not to mention the stress brought by the destruction of Marawi City due to heavy fighting between government troops and ISIS-affiliated extremists in Mindanao for five months last year, might have been taking their toll on his physical well being.

“He needs a holiday... even the US presidents take a vacation. Even ordinary people take a vacation,” he said.

Duterte told the military and the police in a speech in Malacañang during a command conference that he was tired of running after corrupt government employees.

“… My chase against graft and corruption seems to be endless, and it has contaminated almost all government departments and offices,” Duterte said.

Early this week, Duterte relieved 20 military officials allegedly involved in corruption, including anomalous and ghost projects at the V. Luna Medical Center in Quezon City.

Before that, Duterte also fired last week the entire board of directors of Nayong Pilipino Foundation over a “grossly disadvantageous” 70-year property lease contract.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he did not believe the President was serious about stepping down only if he would be replaced by Marcos or Escudero and said the remark was probably said in exasperation.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Francis Pangilinan, on the other hand, said the President’s preference of his successor would not prevail over the Constitution.

“That’s not an option in the Constitution. If the President resigned, the Vice President will assume the position,” Drilon said.

Pangilinan added that it is not up to the President or a military junta to decide who takes his place if he steps down.

A ranking military official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday guaranteed members of Congress that he would reject a junta even if ordered by his Commander-in-Chief.

During the Commission on Appointments committee on national defense confirmation hearing on the appointment of Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Senator Panfilo Lacson posed the question of a military junta.

“My question is purely hypothetical. You are summoned by the Commander-in-Chief, one-on-one, no other officer of the AFP is present, you’re asked to support a military junta, how would you react?” Lacson asked.

“In such case that the current President is the one to ask me, I would…” Dela Vega began, but he was cut by Lacson.

“It doesn’t matter who the President is,” he said because the question was hypothetical.

Dela Vega, AFP Western Mindanao Command chief, replied: “I would deny the instruction, sir, as it’s against the laws of the land, your honor.”

Lacson thanked the nominee and said in jest that opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros would recommend his confirmation to the plenary.

Hontiveros, who was at the hearing, said she was nodding her head “with full appreciation” when she was listening to Dela Vega’s response.

“Your response this morning gives me that much more hope… that the AFP will help stay the course for a democratic and civilian-led government so thank you for your answer,” she said.

The panel later recommended Dela Vega’s nomination along with other military officers. With Julito G. Rada

http://www.manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/273168/duterte-bares-plan-to-quit-robredo-no-marcos-yes.html

After Duterte tirade, Leni lets Jesse speak up for her: 'The truth will prevail'

Vice President Leni Robredo shares an old video interview of her late husband Jesse Robredo as a reply to President Rodrigo Duterte's latest insult against her

Vice President Leni Robredo refuses to play the political game of President Rodrigo Duterte, who once again belittled her capability to rule the country if he steps down from office.

But on Wednesday, August 15, the Vice President responded to Duterte through her late husband, former Department of Interior and Local Government chief Jesse Robredo.

Leni posted on her Facebook account a two-minute excerpt of an old GMA 7 interview with Jesse.

In her caption, the Vice President said she received “so many messages” asking her to defend herself after Duterte questioned her competence as a leader for the second time.

He said he is ready to step down if the military and police finds his successor, but the President later said he would prefer if the likes of losing vice presidential bets Senator Francis Escudero and ex-senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr would be his successor.

What does Jesse’s video say? Leni wrote in her caption: “Since we’re commemorating his (Jesse) 6th death anniversary on Saturday, will let him do the talking. Ganyan din naman sagot ko (My answer would be the same anyway).”

In the video, Jesse was first explaining how he, his wife, and their 3 daughters would have preferred a simple life outside politics.

But Jesse said Leni understood serving in government would give “meaning to [his] existence,” despite the consequences of the job.

“Maayos naman hangarin mo. Nais mong magtrabaho nang maayos. Gusto mo pang pagsipagan ito. Bakit nagkaganito pa?” asked Jesse.

(You have good intentions. You want to do your job right. You want to work hard on this. But why is this happening?)

He then said he could not make himself play the game that politicians tend to play, especially in building their public image just so the people would like them.

“I will not pay anyone just to build up my name, build up my image… I will not do that because you know, in doing that, I don’t believe in myself anymore,” said Jesse.

“So sa akin, ‘yong larong ‘yan, ‘di talaga ako puwede. Kung ganyan ‘yong laro sa Maynila, maling player ako. O mali ‘yong larong nasalihan ko,” said Jesse.

(So that game is not for me. If that’s the game in Manila, I’m the wrong player. Or maybe I joined the wrong game.)

How would the Robredos respond? The video ended with the former interior secretary saying he still believes the truth will prevail in the end.

It is a line Leni herself usually uses in her speeches and interviews.

“Ang dulo ng lahat ng bagay, ‘yong totoo ‘yong mananaig. Number two, ang dulo ng lahat, ‘yong matino ‘yong nananalo," said Jesse.

(In the end, the truth will prevail. Number two, in the end, the good will still win.)

"So I think in time, all of these will pass and people will realize what the truth is and hopefully by that time, nandiyan pa rin ako (I'd still be there) and people will look at things differently,” he added.

Jesse's tragic death in a plane crash in 2012 eventually forced his wife Leni into the national political spotlight.

Unlike his boss, Leni’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez made a feisty comeback against Duterte, tweeting the President that he forgot to include his running mate and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano in his list of preferred successors.

Reacting to Duterte’s statement, Robredo posts Jesse’s video interview

NAGA CITY — Reacting to President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent pronouncement that she is not fit to be his successor, Vice President Leni Robredo has posted on her Facebook account a brief interview clip of her late husband and former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

On Tuesday, Duterte said in a speech in front of businessmen and  diplomats that he was ready to “step down and retire.”

But he said Robredo was not fit to be his successor. The President also tagged Naga City, Robredo’s hometown, as once a “hotbed of shabu.”

In her Facebook post, Robredo said she received so many messages asking her to react and defend herself.

“Since we’re commemorating his (Jesse’s) 6th death anniversary on Saturday, [we] will let him do the talking. Ganyan din naman sagot ko (That’s also my answer),” her post said.

The video, which lasted for two minutes, was a one-on-one interview with Jesse in a television show.

In the video, the former DILG secretary talked about how he and his family always wanted a simple life and that they would never engage in any controversies in politics.

Jesse was also recorded as saying, “Maayos naman ang hangarin mo. Gusto mo magtrabaho ng maayos. Gusto mo pang pagsipagan ito pero bakit nagkakaganito pa? (You have good intentions. You want to work hard. But why is this happening?)”

He added that he cannot play the game. “I will not pay anyone just to build up my name, build up my image because if I do that, then I don’t believe in myself anymore,” he said.

“Ang dulo ng lahat ng bagay ay palaging ang matino ang mananalo…(In the end, it’s always the good one that wins). That’s why I think in time, although this will all pass, people will realize what the truth really is,” he said.

Robredo will be in Naga City on Saturday (August 18) to commemorate Jesse’s 6th death anniversary.

Jesse died in a plane crash in Masbate in 2012, while he was serving as Interior Secretary under the Aquino administration. /ee

Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1021808/reacting-to-dutertes-statement-robredo-posts-jesses-video-interview#ixzz5ORZDX18V
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Init lang ng ulo: Duterte to let grudge against ABS-CBN pass

Is President Rodrigo Duterte ready to bury the hatchet with ABS-CBN?

Duterte appeared to have softened his stance towards the broadcast giant, which had often been the subject of his attacks, during a dinner he hosted for officials of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) on Tuesday (August 14).

In his speech, Duterte admitted he was hurt by the airing of the controversial political ad against him paid for and by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a defeated vice presidential bet, in the run up to the May 2016 elections.

“That was really hurting. Kaya minsan I blurt it out but I have learned to live with it actually. Kung minsan mag-init lang ang ulo ko,” the President said.

“But let’s just understand each other, and let it pass. I said because let no man with no sin cast the first stone,” he added.

Duterte has frequently lambasted ABS-CBN over its alleged bias against him. He recently said that if it were up to him, the network’s franchise, due to expire on March 30, 2020, will not be renewed and and cease to broadcast.

The bill for the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise is still pending at the committee level at the House of Representatives.

http://politics.com.ph/init-lang-ng-ulo-duterte-to-let-grudge-against-abs-cbn-pass/

Tessie Tomas looks forward to taking a vacation

Tessie Tomas

What’s next for seasoned actress Tessie Tomas when “The Blood Sisters” ends tomorrow? Well, she’s off to The Isle of Man.

Tessie who plays Dr. Rosemarie “Mamita” Bermudez on the series said that she would be gone for a month. But it’s not all vacationing for the multi-talented Tessie as she also plans to pursue her dream indie film project.

According to her, the passion to produce indie film was fuelled by the 15 indie films she has done. Tessie even bagged recently the Best Actress award for her role in “Old Skool” at the first Subic Bay International Film Festival.

She said that from her experience, she now understands the framework of an indie film and what appeals to the audience. “I also have a lot of ideas because I’m also a writer,” she quipped.

Tessie is also working on her memoirs.

“The Blood Sisters” starring Erich Gonzales as the triplets Carrie, Agatha and Erika, ran for almost seven months.

• • •

Last concert for Anne Curtis?

Anne Curtis

In celebration of her 21st anniversary in showbiz, Anne Curtis headlines “ANNEkulit: Promise, Last Na ’To,” at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on Aug. 18. Joining Anne in her milestone concert is a powerhouse line-up of artists composed of Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Ex Battalion, Aegis and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.

Anne first made a transition from actress to singer via her debut concert “ANNEbisyosa: No Other Concert” on Jan. 28, 2011 at the Araneta Coliseum.This was followed by “ANNEkapal: The Forbidden Concert” on May 16, 2014, also at the Big Dome.

“ANNEkulit…” is a production by VIVA Live with ABS-CBN as official TV partner. Proceeds will benefit the special projects of Dream Machine Phils.

By the way, Anne’s critically acclaimed movie “Sid & Aya (Not A Love Story)” is reportedly the highest-grossing film of 2018. And “BuyBust” exceeded expectations when it was shown locally and when it was premiered internationally in New York, Canada and South Korea.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Aug. 16, go to Evelyn Mandac, Raquel Villavicencio, Baby Rodriguez, former DOT Sec. Alberto Lim, Ma. Esperanza Lee, Richelle Santos, Maricris Sarino, Ivy Leah Mendoza, Rod Nepomuceno, Michelle M. Gerilla, Adjes Carreon II, Ian Valdez, Gigi PosadasGreyson Chance, Lani Golosia, Jing Cabanig, Atty. Noel del Prado, Bong Aquino, Juana Esteban, Flora Manipi, Mark Joseph Tumarag, Renz Santos Caparas, Kimberly Pineda, Lemeul Gem Almanza, Katherine Galanida and Allaijah Mae Aranda…Belated happy birthday to Bong Quintana and "TWBA" production assistant Lani Gutierrez (Aug. 9)… Aug. 17: Fred Elizalde, Apolinario Lozada Jr., Jean Saburit, Fe Marzan, Jowee Mendoza, Susan Sta. Ana, Elena Fernando, Belen Lovina Ticzon, former Mayor Jose Yap, Rey Salac, Elona Magwale, Emma Lim, Karl Ymmanuel N. Martinez, Cristina Pecson Rodriguez, Roldan Castro and Carmina Villaroel

https://entertainment.mb.com.ph/2018/08/16/tessie-tomas-looks-forward-to-taking-a-vacation/