Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte made headlines on Sunday, March 16, during the celebration of the 88th Araw ng Dabaw, as he delivered a strongly worded message directed at President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. The event, which commemorates the founding anniversary of Davao City, became a platform for Mayor Baste to express his grievances against the current administration and call for the return of his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently facing charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In his speech, Mayor Baste did not mince words as he criticized President Marcos Jr., drawing a direct connection between the Marcos name and the dark legacy of Martial Law. "The surname Marcos is synonymous with Martial Law," he declared, emphasizing the historical weight of the Marcos family's rule in the Philippines. His remarks resonated with the crowd, many of whom have personal or familial memories of the Martial Law era.
Mayor Baste also took aim at President Marcos Jr.'s leadership, asserting that the president would never earn the love and admiration of the Filipino people, particularly those who remain loyal to his father, Rodrigo Duterte. "Mr. President Marcos, you will never be loved! Especially to us who are calling out Rody Duterte's name, you will never be loved, Mr. Marcos," he said. His statement was met with cheers and applause from the audience, many of whom chanted "Marcos resign!" in response.
The mayor's speech took an even more confrontational tone when he addressed the controversial burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which took place during the Duterte administration. Mayor Baste expressed his frustration and anger, using explicit language to condemn President Marcos Jr. for his actions. “Yung tatay mo [Marcos Sr.] pinalibing ng tatay ko [Duterte], pero yung tatay ko pinakulong mo. P***ngina ka,” he said, accusing the president of hypocrisy and injustice.
The event, which included a "unity walk" attended by an estimated 30,000 people according to local police, highlighted the deep political divisions in the country. Mayor Baste's speech underscored the ongoing tensions between the Duterte and Marcos families, as well as the broader ideological conflicts within Philippine politics.
As of now, President Marcos Jr.'s camp has not issued any official response or statement regarding Mayor Baste's remarks. The lack of reaction from Malacañang has left many speculating about the potential implications of this public confrontation, especially as it comes at a time when the country is grappling with numerous challenges, including economic issues and the ongoing ICC investigation into former President Duterte's war on drugs.
Mayor Baste's speech has sparked widespread discussion and debate, with some praising his boldness and others criticizing his use of profanity and confrontational rhetoric. Regardless of one's stance, it is clear that his message has added fuel to the already heated political landscape in the Philippines, setting the stage for further clashes and conversations in the days to come.
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