Miguel Syjuco was one of those most vocal against Duterte in 2016. He was popular because he was one of the few Filipinos who was a contributor to the New York Times. This is a big deal in terms of shock and awe, or so other Filipinos who have the same mindset as he has like to think.
It was the same with Carlos Celdran. Celdran styled himself as a tour guide and performance artist. His most serious work was jumping in front of the altar while there was a high mass ongoing with Church officials with the Archbishop of Manila in attendance. Celdran got convicted by a relatively minor offense of “offending religious feelings” which was still in the statute books. He passed away suddenly on October 8, 2019 due to cardiac arrest in Madrid where he sought refuge from his impending detention for the offense as the Supreme Court was about to rule on his appeal.
Then there’s Richard Heydarian. The Ilokanong-Iranian has been at the forefront of promoting the agenda of his patron, Stratbase-ADRi which is led by former Foreign Affair Secretary Albert Del Rosario. Heydarian styles himself as an academic and expert analyst. Never mind that he is often lacking in substance and even flubs the form. What is important is he’s the go-to guy of CNN International and the BBC whenever they need to interview a Filipino who is willing to denigrate his country before a global audience.
Finally, we come to the capo di tutti frutti. The boss of all bosses. The Godmother, in this case, the first Filipino (?) Nobel Laureate, Maria Ressa.
Ressa and Rappler will be leading the charge along with their other allies in media and civil society in being the “fiscalizer” of the looming second Marcos administration. The opposition will not accept the results of the election and the support base they have cultivated during the campaign will be maintained to pose a threat to the new administration.
It remains to be seen what will be left of the opposition in the Legislative but it is safe to say they would not be in a position to pose as as stumbling block for the new administration. They will surely be making a lot of “noise” through local and foreign media outlets, continuing with the narrative they spun since Duterte took office in 2016.
There is a truth to what Isko is offering as an alternative to the Pula and Dilaw. The public is not buying it because he is not someone they can really trust or believe is ready for the Presidency. He is not Duterte 2.0 no matter how hard he tries. It is not organic in him despite his very humble beginnings.
In the end, it all depends on the size of the mandate the Filipino people will give to the Marcos-Duterte tandem tomorrow. Fifty percent of the vote will have the opposition screaming that is not a majority. I do not really think they will even be satisfied with sixty-five percent. They will still make noise and be a pest because that is their mindset. They will never respect the demoratic process they claim to be ardent defenders of unless they are in power.
Just look at where the US is now two years after electing Biden as President. We would be worst off if Leni Robredo becomes President because she is nothing but an American puppet just like those who came before her.
This is why tomorrow, when we go out and vote, we have to make it count, in order to deliver a message to the opposition that this is not 2016 where Duterte won only 39% of the vote. We have to deliver a resounding message of repudiation. One that says we have had enough of you.
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