A Facebook post from Batangas Provincial Information Office (PIO) about Gov. Hermilando Mandanas, Vice Gov. Mark Leviste, and other members of provincial government joining the commemoration of the People Power EDSA Revolution has been criticized by the netizens after the top two provincial leaders previously broadcasted their support for the presidential candidacy of the ousted dictator’s son, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Feb. 25.
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Most of the comments reminded Mandanas that the EDSA revolution that happened 36 years ago was a sign of Filipinos’ revolt against the decade-long oppression, human rights violations, and corruption during the older Marcos regime, which Marcos Jr. continuously denied.
“Very contradicting po ang actions [niyo] sa words n’yo. Paano po kayo makiki-isa sa spirit of EDSA eh kaka-endorse niyo lang po kay Marcos [Jr.]. H’wag po ganoon, panindigan n’yo po ang aksyon n’yo,” said one of the netizens who commented on the post.
Another comment wrote, “Hindi po kayo kaisa sa EDSA People Revolution anniversary, maging totoo po kayo. Ang inyo pong pakikiisa eh nasa mga Marcos.”.
Moreover, Batangueños expressed their stand regarding the post and the endorsement by saying it was hollow and contained contradicting messages.
“I think it is very hypocritical. [Mandanas and Leviste] have explicitly shown their support towards the dictator’s son […] This kind of [post] shows the lack of delicadeza of our regional government [executives],” Katherine Lontok, an education student from the University of Batangas, told Lavoxa.
Lontok added that both Mandanas and Leviste lack a firm political stance and play safe for their campaign.
“[Mandanas and Leviste] cling [to] politicians that they perceive as strong. Strong si [Marcos Jr.] in their perspective because he has the name and the ample amount of supporters,” said Lontok.
Cholo Basilan, a third-year legal management student from De La Salle Lipa (DLSL), also questioned the governor’s stand.
“There is no explaining to this blunder, if the honorable governor wants to stand in solidarity with the spirit of EDSA, then he should have thought twice [before] endorsing Bongbong Marcos,” said Basilan.
On the other hand, Mandanas expressed his endorsement for Marcos Jr. and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s tandem in an interview with Kathleen Forbes of Radyo Pilipinas last Feb. 22.
“Si Bongbong Marcos, personally, siya ang aking ine-endorso at siya ang aking Presidente. Si Inday Sara [Duterte], syempre Vice President,” Mandanas said.
Lavoxa has tried to reach out to Mandanas but has yet to respond or comment regarding the issue. The Batangas PIO’s Facebook post already garnered more than 6,100 reactions, 1,200 comments, and 1,400 shares.
