Marcos on Alyansa bets: ‘Wala pang napasabugan ng granada’

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. began his speech during the Metro Manila campaign of his senatorial candidates by making sure they are safe from harm.

"Pagbigyan niyo po ako at binibilang ko lang ‘yung aming mga kandidato dahil tinitiyak ko na kumpleto at wala pang napasabugan ng granada," said Marcos.

[Translation: Allow me to count our candidates as I make sure they are complete and that no one has been harmed by a grenade.]

It was a veiled response to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “killing senators” remark at a PDP rally.

Marcos said the strength of the 'Alyansa' campaign lies in the credibility and years of service of its candidates.

"Wala po kayong maririnig na mga ganyan. Iyan na po ang kaibahan ng Alyansa sa lahat ng mga ibang tumatakbo dito sa halalan na ito," he said.

[Translation: You will not hear anything like that. That is the difference of Alyansa from all the other candidates running in this election.]

"Wala po kayong maririnig na masasamang salita. Wala po kayong maririnig na panakot. Wala po kayong maririnig ng pagmumura," Marcos added.

[Translation: You will not hear bad words. You will not hear threats. You will not hear cursing.]

The president said the administration ticket is focused on addressing the pressing concerns of Filipinos, rather than seeking to divide the nation.

"Ang kailangan po natin ay solusyon, hindi po ang mga maiinit at maaanghang na salita na wala namang kinalaman at wala namang kabuluhan," he said.

[Translation: What we need are solutions, not heated and harsh words that are irrelevant and meaningless.]