Davao City Mayor Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte challenged President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. to step down during his speech in Davao City on Sunday afternoon, January 28.
“Mr. President, if you do not have love or have no aspirations for your country, resign,” Duterte said.
“You are lazy and you lack compassion… All of these things that he is causing in oppressing the people. So there, he is putting politics first, their self-preservation of their political lives. They are not doing their jobs first,” Duterte added.
Duterte asserted that those behind the People’s Initiative (PI) were utilizing it as a means to cling to power. Instead, the mayor advocated for the continuation of programs from the previous administration, led by his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, specifically emphasizing the need to persist in the campaign against illegal drugs.
“Na-anticipate ko talaga sa pagbaba niya (FPRRD), there will be a resurgence of illegal activities kasi for six years hindi sila makagalaw. May rubber band effect talaga. These syndicates walang ibang alam kundi gumawa ng krimen. In less than a year makita ninyo mga police, naka-uniporme, mga nasa Senado, anong isyu? Droga,” Mayor Duterte said.
Following his strong criticism, the mayor refrained from providing additional specifics on the reasons behind his remarks about Marcos. Instead, Duterte alluded to governmental instability without delving into further details.
In his address at the prayer rally, Duterte conveyed a somewhat foreboding message directed at President Marcos.
“Just a simple message sa ating Pangulo: From now on, before you go to bed, think of the Romanovs. Think of Benito Mussolini and his wife. And think of what happened to you in 1986 and maybe you’ll reconsider the direction that you are taking,” he said.
The mayor was referring to historical instances where prominent figures faced tragic ends; for instance, Czar Nicholas II of the Romanov dynasty, the last Russian emperor, and his family were executed by communist captors in 1918.
Duterte also emphasized that it is the duty of the Chief Executive to keep the public informed about the current state of affairs in the country.
“You know the previous administration. It was successful. Since the country’s citizens voted for you for the presidency, it is your responsibility to maintain and keep up with what the former President has started. But we do not see the progress in your administration,” he said.
Mayor Duterte said the president has every opportunity, power, and authority to fix what is broken.
“What is the point of hierarchy if he cannot fix what is broken? He better resign if he cannot deliver his responsibility as president,” he said.
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