A media card or meme is currently being circulated in social media pages and chat groups, attributing to this representation a remark about a possible Duterte-Duterte or Go-Duterte tandem in the 2022 elections.
The meme essentially says that these personalities do not need the vote of the constituents of Luzon in order to win the presidency and vice-presidency, respectively, as it even makes it appear that this representation is willing to put a wager that those who will be elected to these positions will surely hail from Mindanao.
This representation respects the sanctity of our sovereign electoral process and would never issue statements that may tend to make a mockery of the same, more so rob it of its dignity by subjecting its results to a bet.
Meanwhile, the attributed statement that I will emerge as the top 1 senatorial candidate, while Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Health Secretary Francisco Duque will claim the second and third spots, respectively, is outrageous as I never even said that I would run for a senatorial seat. Moreover, such a pompous and self-serving statement is out of character.
While the meme will be immediately slammed as a form of disinformation by those who are news literate, it may still deceive those who are gullible to these types of materials despite its obvious falsity. Hence, to be categorical, the remarks contained in the meme were never uttered by this representation.
That these fakers attempt at discrediting me is an admission that I have been effective in enlightening the people on the false narratives of the critics, members of the opposition and other detractors against PRRD and his administration, as well as demolishing the baseless, outright fake and destructive criticisms by the Duterte bashers.
While the meme is ostensibly a mockery of the suggestion humbly added by this representation in the melting pot of ideas, it bears noting that jokes are half meant. Therefore, on a subconscious level, the meme is also an admission of truth that a Duterte-Duterte or Go-Duterte tandem would be unstoppable.
Ultimately, we let the sovereign Filipino people decide their own fate. After all, the Presidency is a matter of destiny.
Salvador S. Panelo
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel
