Bongbong: Martial law no longer a poll issue

MANILA, Philippines – For the only son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, martial law is no longer an issue in the May elections.

Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., now a frontrunner in the vice presidential race, said Filipinos, particularly the youth, know what transpired under the 20-year of rule of his late father and namesake.

Marcos said people are now more concerned about coping with their daily needs.

“People no longer ask about martial law. They are interested in the current problems of the country such as jobs and traffic,” he told journalists during a press briefing yesterday in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City.

Marcos said the martial law issue is the same propaganda the administrations have been trying to sell in the past three decades.

He said people are more interested in solving their daily problems like the rising cost of basic commodities, water and electricity, and job opportunities.

“With the Internet, people can Google any topic and they know what’s happened or is happening in the country.”

Marcos said people knew that during the administration of his late father, the country exported rice and there was no problem in unemployment, traffic and electricity.

He vowed to pursue the urban land reform program and improve its implementation to achieve its original intent of improving the life of the poor.

Among the areas in Caloocan that Marcos visited was Barangay 176 in Bagong Silang, a government resettlement site considered to be the country’s largest village in terms of land area and population.

He said unlike the relocation project in Bagong Silang, many of the current relocation sites for poor urban dwellers are comprised of a bare house and lot.

“If you recall the government agency originally tasked to implement urban land reform was the Ministry of Human Settlements. That’s how the agency is called because it strives to establish local communities,” Marcos said.

He said the urban land reform of the past includes basic necessities such as water and electricity supply, jobs and facilities such as market, church and school.

“I hope to return to the concept that relocation is not simply about a house, but that it includes the basic necessities to live decently.”

Eusebios support Bongbong

After obtaining San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez’s support Bongbong got another backing from the influential Eusebio clan of Pasig City.

“Our support for Bongbong is 100 percent. We will ensure his 100 percent victory here in Pasig City. He’s the first vice presidential candidate who visited us,” Councilor Ricky Eusebio said during a rally for Marcos in Barangay Maybunga.

Eusebio, who is running for congressman in the May elections, is a son of former city mayor Vicente.

Vicente’s wife, Idad, had also served as mayor as well as their other son Bobby, whose wife, Maribel, is the incumbent mayor.

Marcos thanked the Eusebios for the warm welcome, saying the family’s endorsement is a big boost to his candidacy.

Before attending the rally, Marcos and his Unity Caravan toured Pasig and its villages Kapasigan, Pinagbuhatan, Palatiw, San Miguel, Caniogan and Maybunga. Ricky accompanied them.

On Monday, Gomez endorsed Marcos’ candidacy, saying she believes he is competent to be the country’s second top leader. – With Rey Galupo, Non Alquitran