Don’t let ‘pro-China’ politicians get ‘back into power,’ says Bongalon
Former President Rodrigo Duterte speaks on Thursday at the proclamation rally for the senatorial candidates of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). (Photo by NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — House Assistant Majority Leader and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon urged the public not to allow “pro-China” politicians to prevail in the 2025 national and local elections.
He is referring to bets aligned with former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The comment came after the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), the party chaired by Duterte, kicked off its campaign for the 2025 senatorial elections with a proclamation rally for its nine candidates on Thursday.
“These pro-China politicians let Beijing trample on our rights in the West Philippine Sea,” Bongalon said in a statement on Saturday.
“They made excuses for Chinese aggression and questioned our own legal victory in The Hague. Why should we allow them back into power?” the lawmaker wondered.
“They talk about patriotism, but their actions show otherwise. They welcomed China’s interference. They pushed for lopsided projects. And they even threatened our institutions when it suited them,” Bongalon recalled.
READ: PDP proclamation rally of senatorial bets kicks off
Bongalon drew a contrast between the PDP slate and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas (Alliance for the New Philippines) lineup.
At the “Alyansa” kickoff rally on Tuesday, Marcos hit at Duterte-aligned candidates.
He said the administration bets were “not tainted” by his predecessor’s bloody anti-drug campaign, Philippine offshore gaming operators and pro-China stance.
READ: Marcos on admin slate: They’re not tainted by tokhang, Pogo, pro-China
“This is no ordinary election. It is a fight for the future of our country,” Bongalon stressed.
“We can either elect leaders who will defend our sovereignty and push for real reforms or we let pro-China politicians regain power and sell our nation’s interests once again,” the House assistant majority leader said.
