By Benjamin Cuaresma
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Davao City First District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte has challenged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent remarks regarding his alliance with Vice President Sara Duterte during the 2022 elections, insisting that the President’s victory was made possible by the support of the Duterte camp.
In a statement released on social media, the lawmaker responded to comments suggesting concerns over a possible reversal of the administration’s policies should Vice President Sara Duterte seek the presidency in 2028.
Duterte said President Marcos was correct in saying he should have no regrets about teaming up with Vice President Duterte during the last national elections. However, he maintained that Marcos would not have secured the presidency without the backing of his sister, whom he described as a decisive factor in the UniTeam’s success.
The congressman also questioned the administration’s claims of reform, challenging the President to identify concrete accomplishments that have directly improved the lives of ordinary Filipinos.
As the President prepares for his next State of the Nation Address, Duterte called on him to present clear and measurable achievements rather than what he described as slogans, buzzwords, and orchestrated displays of political support.
He argued that many Filipinos remain burdened by rising prices, recurring flooding, and daily economic hardships, issues he said should serve as the true measure of the administration’s performance.
Duterte concluded by saying that these realities, rather than speeches and public relations efforts, represent the government’s actual report card before the Filipino people.
ia/xf
