“Is that so? Everyone doesn’t think so.”
The recent events that brought division between the Marcos and Duterte factions has clearly showeth that their unity becomes a farce. Be it issues regarding Marcos's alleged cocaine use to Duterte's use of Fentanyl, to that of threats of arrest from the International Criminal Court and alleged clamours for Mindanao's secession from the Philippine state, these recent events doesn't stop people from seeing them both as accomplices of maintaining a rotten, decadent social order that benefits themselves and its camarilla- all at the expense of the labouring people whom they promised a "comfortable life for all" in the "new Philippines."
How come this note say so? Duterte's statement is not borne out of principle but of his own fear, as news about the International Criminal Court entering the Philippines has fueled much of angst by his supporters, and further justified by the current regime's reluctance to expel investigators from further doing such actions. Duterte would churn rumours of Marcos's alleged use of Cocaine- that made Marcos churn about the former president still using Fentanyl. With these would say shows that this "Mindanao separatist" issue is not driven of principle as Duterte and his ilk claim- but of fear and of still keeping interest.
Even the so-called amendments to the constitution caused controversy; those who had previously been "pro-charter change" turned against it, while others who had supported it pushed the agenda through "People's Initiative." This was the case even though both sides pushed for the charter change because it contained "economic amendments" that enshrined the neoliberal policies of liberalization, deregulation, and privatization and further reinforced the dominance of foreign capitalists over the country's resources and economy. Why would Duterte oppose those "economic provisions" in that "initiative" yet he and his camarilla forcefully advocated for the passing of neoliberal laws and policies? Or is it a result of the present regime's reversal of course and return to US military action against China, which the previous administration attempted to favour with? Once more, there is no principle in what Duterte and his allies are attempting to convey in their criticism of Marcos—especially considering that both are willing to sacrifice the nation's patrimony for powerful interests and are subjects of foreign tyrants.
But as the rift continues thus exposes Duterte becoming desperate- that by babbling "Mindanao separatism" and his supporters strongly supporting him especially in the face of possible arrest by the International Criminal Court shows trying to gain leverage (and credibility) to push back against the Marcoses’ schemes to degrade their economic and political power. His "Federalism" scheme, just like the attempt for "revolutionary government" failed and still Duterte have misled Filipinos by banked his presidential campaign on federalism because he and some of his key allies are now against constitutional reforms.
However, supporters of both camps would argue that this is irrelevant because they continue to uphold "unity" in spite of this being the clear right and in spite of recent events where both factions have wasted public funds on busing in supporters to create the appearance that they have widespread support. The deplorable conditions of the people were used by both warring groups, who seemed to be advocating for "unity" and "change" while entertaining them and promising them government assistance. Bullshit and mudslinging are being used by social media experts and vloggers to mislead readers as the rift gets worse. Sounds familiar in order to avoid acknowledging the reality, which is that the nation is still far from fulfilling people's dreams due to an order that falsely claims to speak for the Filipino people.
In the meantime, Duterte's sockpuppets showed off the notion that his remarks—who is well-known for making absurd claims—should not be taken seriously. It was hard for journalists to cover him because of his tendency to startle people. According to the article from the Manila Times, it said: "They were used to heads of state who can be taken literally, without the need for adding context."
By flaunting such nonsense would say that the former president tries to rally Mindanaoans to his standard thinking they voted for him; but did these people voted for him simply because he's a Mindanaoan who promised change? Peace? Development? Not all would say voted because of his background nor his promises, let alone how he snared them by his antics and his "hands on" kind of politics as they would say "he relates to the common people" the way he uses expletives and sarcasm to convey his thoughts and thus becoming policies. However, he's the same Duterte who chose to swore upholding a rotten, oppressive social order. He even intensified it by making laws that put burden to the common folk for the interests of the few. And now he talks about separatism that even the Moros and most Mindanaoans beg to disagree on him in the name of "national unity".
For the concerned these bullshits doesn't water down the fact that he babble it out of fear- that his case against the folk are being investigated for his crimes and therefore he and his ilk facing arrests. Even Dela Rosa, his trusted henchman who once led the Philippine National Police chose to side with the current administration than his master, is it because of principle as a legislator supporting the administration? Or simply by fear because he's part of the Duterte camarilla?
“On my part, personally, right now I don’t want to because I don’t want to get a visa if I go. I will visit my grandchildren here in Batangas,” dela Rosa said in an article from the Inquirer, speaking partly in Filipino, when asked if he is in favor of the “One Mindanao” proposal.
"From Davao, I will fly here. I will have to get a visa because it turns out that Luzon and Visayas are already different countries." Dela Rosa added.
With these words would say that one of Duterte's henchmen rejects his boss's words, despite claiming that those who promote Mindanao separatism "were just sending a message that they would be forced to encourage a separate state if pushed to the wall"; however, dela Rosa said he would back Mindanao's secession in the "worst" case scenario as he said. But, is Duterte much so dela Rosa and those supporting the past administration really for the Mindanaoans much so as Filipinos? Or just because they're feared of being investigated further, much so arrested by the International Criminal Court for their actions? No wonder why Congressman Raoul Manuel said Duterte should not treat Mindanao as if his own realm much so an escape bunker amid investigations by the ICC.
Wouldn't be surprised if there are others who supported Duterte also changing their tones, if not end mum as interfering costs their so-called political integrity.
Despite this, some would argue that the warring camps are still committed to upholding a corrupt social order, and that nothing has changed. Whether the legislators continue to clamour for "charter change" or Duterte with his "separatist" agenda, that the Filipino people are still forced to deal with issues like growing costs, low wages, unemployment, landlessness, economic dispossession, widespread corruption, declining social conditions, a lack of public services, and other issues brought on by the nation's vassalage to powerful foreign powers and entrenched interests. Once more, the "new Philippines" is nothing "new" other than reworded statements and programs, but the goal of upholding the status quo and uniting interests is still the same- and wouldn't be surprised if the rift between two camps continues to be aggravated.
As said a year ago the country is still in a state of "Vivere Pericoloso" thanks to those whose interests trying to hinder the aspirations of the people whether by amending the fundamental law, churning state funds for "malicious purposes", to that of slander in social media by its supporters, or by the bullet as attack dogs in various forms trying to silence growing dissent. Yes, the folks are living dangerously despite promises of stability, whereas the past administration loves to gaslight, the current one will "kill us softly with his words".
And since the country and its people is still living dangerously, then why not have the will to resist? For sure they have enough of tyrants and scoundrels, of incompetents and those spewing with hollow phrases. No bullet, law, nor "heaven" of theirs will stop the people's call for just aspirations.