Partisan politics

EDITORIAL

President Rodrigo Duterte has urged the military and police to remain neutral and not to indulge in partisan politics as he vowed for an honest 2019 midterm elections.

During the change of command ceremony of the Philippine Army at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday, Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines not to support any political candidate.

“And let us make a deal here, a promise to make a commitment to the Filipino people. This election, strictly neutral tayong lahat. The armed forces, the police, and the uniformed personnel of government, I am asking you not to indulge in partisan politics. Wala tayong susuportahan. Iyong mga kandidato ko, ako lang because this is a political position. But I expect everybody to respect that constitutional prohibition,” the president said.

Duterte made the statement after he personally escorted his long-time aide, Christopher ‘Bong’Go, who filed his candidacy for senator before the Commission on Elections.

This has elicited comments from netizens that if the country’s top official can show partisanship for Go who materialized from out of  nowhere, he cannot expect that most of his men in uniform or those in government service will follow his directive. 

The president told the public that no one will be allowed to use government sources for their political activities, not even his trusted aide. But then, netizens again questioned the “logistics” he and his men used in going to witness to proclaim Go as his preferred candidate. Call it double standard but Duterte said he will campaign for his candidates.

“I’ll announce to the country now that we make a pledge: there will be an election and it will be an honest one. Walang — nobody but nobody can use government resources, not even Bong. I will not allow it. As a friend I can invite him but he should not… of course I will campaign for my candidates, eh wala pa naman akong slate.”

Like pundits say, anything is possible in this Banana Republic.