ANGELES CITY – The Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) and the Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) decried Malacanang spokesperson Salvador Panelo’s statement that fears of presidential pardon for former first lady Imelda Marcos as “speculative and premature.”
“Our concerns are not without basis or spurious since the affinity of the President to the Marcos family is quite obvious and unquestionable,” the two groups said in a joint statement, as they noted that Malacanang had already exerted “undue influence” in cases involving the Marcoses, including the burial of the body of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
The statement said “Panelo’s assurances are mere squid tactics to cover up a trail of favors by Duterte to the Marcoses.”
“Malacanang cannot simply dismiss the people’s fears that it is pardoning plunder because in just three years, it has consistently favored the Marcoses,” said BMP leader Leody de Guzman.
The statement said “the peoples’ fears are valid no matter what Panelo says. He can not deny that Duterte allowed Marcos, whom he admitted to be his idol, in the Libingan ng mga Bayani and that he mentioned that he preferred Bongbong Marcos instead of his constitutional successor to succeed him.”
De Guzman recalled “the unconcluded issue of the governor’s (Imee Marcos) monetary contribution to the campaign kitty of Duterte in 2016, which he admitted before local officials at the 3rd Sulong Pilipinas Convention two years ago.”
“Under this corrupt and bankrupt political system, let us not be naive by thinking that there would not be a quid pro quo deal between the Marcoses and Duterte. Political accommodation of allies and persecution of critics have been uncanny trademarks of the Duterte administration,” the groups said.
The statement also noted “the newly established political party of presidential daughter Sara Duterte’s party Hugpong ng Pagbabago, where Imee is included in its senatorial line up.”
PNP: In Service of the Plunderers, not the People
De Guzman also denounced the Philippine National Police “for favoring the Marcoses” by refusing to serve the arrest warrant of Imelda Marcos as PNP chief Oscar Albayalde cited Marcos’ age as excuse for keeping off the former first lady despite the Sandigan bayan’s arrest order Friday.
For his part, PLM leader Sonny Melencio said “the national police under Director Oscar Alabayalde is proudly exposing its partiality, truly in service and protection of the president’s allies and minions, despite their conviction for crimes against the Filipino people.”
