Duterte's presidency a dismal failure - De Lima

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has called Mr. Duterte's two years in office as a "failed presidency" which has been plagued by power abuses, corruption, extrajudicial killings and outright incompetency.

In her brief message during the 4th Makabayan National Convention, De Lima said Duterte is maintaining ties with powerful political families like the Marcoses and the Arroyos to cement his grip to power.

"Gipit na si Duterte. Gipit na sa oras. Gipit na sa mga taong naniniwala pa sa kanya. Sa mahigit dalawang taon ng kanyang gobyerno na mala-impiyerno, wala siyang ibang napatunayan kundi ang pagiging berdugo, diktador, at pagiging dakilang sinungaling," she said.

"At ang abusadong gipit, sa kapangyarihan kumakapit. Sa makapangyarihan kumakapit. He was instrumental in freeing and putting Arroyo back in power. Now, he is paying his debts to the Marcoses," she added.

De Lima's message was read during the 4th Makabayan National Convention held at the Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines, in Diliman, Quezon City last Sept. 28.

The former justice secretary said Duterte, the Arroyos and the Marcoses share the same record because they are all corrupt, thieves, and traitors to the Filipino people.

It may be recalled that former president Gloria Macapacal-Arroyo, the only nominee in the top House post, won the speakership with 184 affirmative votes, while 12 lawmakers opted to abstain, with the help of the allies of the President, last August.

Duterte, on his part, has since been supportive of former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos' election protest against Vice President Leni Robredo, with him saying that he will likely step down should Marcos emerge victorious in his protest.

The Senator from Bicol said she continues to believe that justice will one day catch up on Duterte and his evil minions who continue to promote oppression and repression, especially among their critics and detractors.

"Nagawa man niyang ipakulong ang kanyang kritiko, magawa man niya ang mga ilegal na pag-aresto, gipitin man niya ang media, napatalsik man niya ang Punong Mahistrado at sikaping mapaalis ang Pangalawang Pangulo, sa dulo, hindi pa rin magtatagumpay itong si Duterte," she said. "Subukan man nilang baguhin ang kasaysayan, magsabwatan man silang mga hayok sa kapangyarihan, pagtakpan man nila ang kahirapan at ang mga tunay na isyu sa ating bayan, hindi nila makukulong ang katotohanan. Hindi nila matatakasan ang pananagutan, lagi at laging mananaig ang tama at makatarungan," she added.