Former President Rodrigo Duterte has intensified his criticisms of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., claiming that the latter may refuse to step down when his term ends in 2028.
Speaking at an indignation rally in Mandaue City, Cebu, on Saturday, Duterte warned that Marcos could declare martial law—similar to what his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., did in 1972—to extend his rule.
“Si Mr. Marcos is veering towards a dictatorship. Mopusta ko sa inyo, dili na manaog pagkahuman sa iyang termino. Pareha na sa iyang tatay, magkagubot na pud ta because ang iyang buhaton mag-declare na pud ug martial law pareho sa iyang papa. ‘Pag martial law, walay eleksyon,” Duterte said in a GMA News Online report.
The late Marcos Sr. placed the country under martial law in 1972 and ruled until the EDSA People Power Revolution ousted him in 1986.
Duterte urged the military and police to make the right moral decisions amid political developments.
“Kamong mga sundalo ug pulis paminaw mo, kanang ambition sa usa ka tao ayaw mo ug pagsakay kay madugay o madali matapos man gyud na, unya illegal mana. Pamili mo, duha ra mana, naay sayop, naay tama,” he said.
The former president also took aim at the Marcos administration over rising rice prices and the alleged lack of transparency in the sale of gold reserves.
“Wala ta kabalo ang gold diin gibaligya ug pila,” Duterte claimed.
Last September, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) defended the sale of its gold holdings, saying it was part of an “active management strategy” to take advantage of high prices in the market. The BSP sold 24.95 tonnes of gold from January to June 2024, reducing the country’s reserves by 15.69% to 134.06 tonnes.
At the same rally, PDP Laban senatorial candidates also voiced concerns about governance and corruption.
Jimmy Bondoc called on government officials to live modest lives, stating, “Lahat tayo, hindi tayo perpekto. We have our frailties. Pero kung mahilig ka sa pera, magnegosyo ka na, kasi public office is a public trust.”
SAGIP Representative Rodante Marcoleta criticized the impeachment moves against Vice President Sara Duterte, alleging that over 200 lawmakers endorsed the complaint without consulting their constituents in exchange for AKAP allocations.
“Kung kaya na huwag tanggapin, huwag tanggapin [ang AKAP], dahil ito lamang ang magsisilbing sampal sa kanilang mga mukha,” he said.
Actor Philip Salvador also weighed in, saying, “Walang magnanakaw na Duterte.”
Meanwhile, Senator Bong Go, who was unable to attend, reiterated his commitment to pro-poor programs. Senate hopeful Vic Rodriguez, on the other hand, vowed to push for the reimposition of the death penalty for plunder and drug-related offenses involving government officials and foreigners.
