By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
The condemnation of Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent tirades against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his cousin, Speaker Martin G. Romualdez was spearheaded by Eastern Visayas lawmakers on Tuesday morning.
Led by Leyte Rep. Anna Victoria Veloso-Tuazon, Biliran Rep. Gerardo “Gerryboy” Espina Jr., and Samar Reps. Reynolds Michael Tan and Stephen James Tan, at least 45 top Eastern Visayas officials issued a scathing Joint Manifesto of Indignation, calling out Duterte’s behavior as an insult to both the Waray people and their leaders.
The statement, signed by key provincial, city, and municipal officials of Eastern Visayas, opened with a direct denunciation of the second highest official of the land: “We, the undersigned local government leaders of Eastern Visayas, express our profound indignation at the malicious, baseless and reckless accusations made by Vice President Sara Duterte against Speaker Martin G. Romualdez.”
This was in the midst of Duterte’s public feud with the Congress’ investigation of the alleged misuse and abuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds of the OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd).
The manifesto pushed back against the attacks on the integrity of the Leyte 1st District Representative vis-a-vis the pride and dignity of the Waray people, noting these tirades are also an insult on President Marcos, who also has Waray blood.
“Vice President Duterte’s unfounded allegations also insult the Romualdez legacy, which extends to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., who shares Waray blood through his mother, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos,” the statement read, underscoring the historical and familial ties that bind the President to Eastern Visayas.
“[Vice President Duterte’s] reckless tirades strike at the very heart of a region that has overcome countless challenges through hard work, solidarity and trust in capable leadership,” the statement added.
Duterte’s inflammatory remarks and divisive rhetoric, according to the leaders, go beyond personal attacks, threatening to destabilize the unity of the administration and erode the trust of the Filipino people in the government.
“We call on Vice President Duterte to cease these baseless accusations and instead focus on the responsibilities entrusted to her by the Filipino people,” the manifesto said. It emphasizes that her actions “have no place in a nation striving for unity and progress.”
Eastern Visayas solons unite in the midst of political turmoil
The manifesto was signed by Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla, president of the Leyte Chapter of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, along with Mayors Lovell Anne Yu-Castro of Alangalang, Norman Sabdao of San Miguel, Gina Merilo of Tanauan, Amparo Monteza of Sta. Fe, Erwin Ocana of Tolosa, and Eleonor Lugnasin of Babatngon.
For Biliran, signatories include Board Member Roselyn Espina Parabos and Mayors Rhodessa Revita (Caibiran), Humphrey Olimba (Culaba), Gemma Adobo (Cabucgayan), Myra Cabrales (Biliran), and Richard Jaguros (Almeria). Calubian Mayor Marciano Battancela, Jr. and Villaba Mayor Lito Veloso from Leyte also signed the manifesto.
For Northern Samar, the following mayors signed: Maria Ana Abalon (San Roque), Leo Jarito (Silvino Lobos), Felipe Sosing (Pambujan), Florence Batula (Palapag), Maria Luisa Menzon, (Lapinig), and Raquel Capoquian (Gamay).
For Samar, the following mayors also signed the manifesto: Raymund Uy (Calbayog City), Marinell Apolonio (Sto. Niño), Danny Tan (Tarangnan), Sed Tan (Pagsanghan), Leo De Guia (San Jorge), Amy Cano (Almagro), Aran Boller (Matuginao), Vicente Limpiado (Tagapul-an), Warren Aguilar (Gandara), Felix Ranganoron (Sta. Margarita), Luz Ponferrada (Basey), Myrna Tan (Zumarraga), Red Nacario (Calbiga), Ferdinand Gaviola (San Sebastian), Eunice Babalcon (Paranas), Renato Cabael (Motiong), Philip Astorga (Daram), Julie Cereno (Jiabong), Clarito Rosal (Hinabangan), and Percival Ortillo Jr. (Marabut). (With report from Mela Lesmoras/PTV News)
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