‘Itim’ ad fitting to describe Duterte, not Marcos admin — Palace

Metro Manila, Philippines — The new political ad released by Senator Imee Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, depicting a nation in darkness, is accurate for the Duterte administration instead, a Palace official said on Tuesday, April 15.

“I thought it was a 2022 campaign ad because it seemed to describe the previous administration more than the current one,” said Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro.

[Translation: Ang akala ko 2022 campaign ads ito dahil parang mas na-describe ang nakaraang administrasyon sa nasabing campaign ads]

The controversial ad states, “Itim ngayon ang kulay ng bansa, sa gutom at krimen nagluluksa” — or “the country is in darkness, mourning from hunger and crime.” Castro said the message was a picture of the leadership of then President Rodrigo Duterte.

She said Duterte’s term was characterized by deep debt and numerous killings in the brutal war on drugs.

“Mas madedescribe natin ang nakaraang administrasyon na sobrang itim at ngayon ay papaliwanag sa panahon ng kasalukuyang administrasyon,” she added.

[Translation: We can describe the previous administration as pitch dark, while the current administration is bringing light.]

Castro also urged the public to remain vigilant against misinformation and manipulation during the election season.

“ Translation: Huwag pong magpaloko sa mga sinasabi sa iilang campaign ads [Don’t be fooled by what some campaign ads are saying],” she said.

She saidPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is against all forms of negative campaigning, especially those rooted in disinformation.

“Hindi po nais ng Pangulo ng ganitong klaseng negatibong pangangampanya, lalo na po kung ito ay fake news,” Castro said.

[Translation: The President does not condone this kind of negative campaigning, especially when it’s based on fake news.]