Two presidential candidates – Sen. Panfilo Lacson and former Defense secretary Norberto Gonzales — warned that “destabilization” might occur in the country if former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the pre-election surveys front runner wins the presidential race.
Gonzales, a former National Security Adviser, said it is highly likely that a Marcos administration will face destabilization attempts.
“Marcos has so many issues. This might lead to destabilization, and not necessarily just because the Number 2 of today will oppose Number 1 even after the elections,” he said.
Lacson, a former Philippine National Police chief, said it would be best if the next president is someone who can “unite the country” after a polarizing election.
“We do not want Marcos to win because his administration will only face destabilization — there will be continuing destabilization in the country,” Lacson said.
“We are tired of destabilization. Maybe it’s time to choose an alternative who can really and genuinely unite our people, one who is color-blind.”
“We want to offer ourselves. For the sake of the country, and for the sake of the peace and quiet we all aspire for, the voters should choose not either one of the two,” the senator added.
The 64-year-old Marcos, who has consistently topped the pre-election surveys since the campaign started in February, had no comment on the projections of his presidential opponents.
For his part, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said Marcos’ strong showing in pre-election surveys might be a reflection of people’s disdain of what he called “pinklawan” — a portmanteau of pink, the color of Vice President Leni Robredo, and dilawan or yellow, the color of the Liberal Party.
“Maybe we should also ask the Vice President — why is it that she appears to be ashamed of the yellows that is why she ran as an independent candidate?” Domagoso said.
“Let us stop this fight between the yellows and the reds. The election is not just about two families fighting it out,” he added.