President Duterte Refuses to Pass the Presidency to Robredo Despite the Uncertainty of His Health

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte discloses that he might have cancer and added that he does not know where he stands as the results of recent medical tests have not come yet. Duterte said in a speech in Manila that he underwent an endoscopy and colonoscopy about three weeks ago. His doctor was advised this week to repeat the tests. Both tests aim to diagnose any abnormality in the digestive tract and colon. Despite the uncertainty of his health, he refuses to give hope to Vice President Leni Robredo that she can soon take over his place. He thinks that she is too weak strategy-wise to be a good leader for the Philippines.

The President’s Health

Duterte has admitted even before that he has Barrett’s Esophagus, a gastroesophageal reflux disease in the stomach. The President has stated that he does not know how he is physically-speaking now. However, he said that in case he has cancer, he will let the public know about it. He does not care if it is stage 4. For sure, he will not prolong his agony both personally and professionally. The president also said that he will not prolong the agony of the top office of the land but to resign is definitely not an option.

Loyalty to the Late President Marcos

This strike against Robredo is not new anymore.  Duterte earlier said he would rather leave the country in the hands of a Marcos than his constitutional successor. He once said, “If I stop now in my crusade against drugs, and if there is no order in this place, and corruption will continue? You’re dead meat. I said you’re better off choosing an alleged dictator in the likes of Marcos. That’s what I suggested.” The late Ferdinand Marcos was accused as a tyrant but many prove the allegations as wrong and were just a black media propaganda against him. His namesake, Ferdinand Marcos is the Protester for the VP post.

Bongbong Marcos as Presidential Successor

Contrary to the media propaganda of Robredo’s camp, Atty. Glenn Chong assures the public that the recent threshold the PET uses for the recount of the VP electoral protest filed by Bongbong Marcos against Leni Robredo is 50%. Chong explained that 21,000 votes of Robredo did not pass the Supreme Court standard. As of now, they are set aside first. Therefore, the presumptive Vice President has 21,000 fewer votes currently. This is why in the revision reports, the total number of Robredo’s votes is a lot lower than the total of the election returns printed from the election machine.

Repeating History with Martial Law and Destabilization

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According to Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Carlito Galvez Jr., the CPP has organized in at least 10 universities in the Metro for the plot to oust President Duterte. The traces gathered involving the activities of Reyes with the communist group can support this allegation. Galvez is also claiming that the communists intend to drag Duterte into declaring martial law as a political death trap. He compares it to the Plaza Miranda bombing of the 1970s. The authorities contemplate that a more or less similar scenario can happen again as per the nature of the rebels’ history.

VP Electoral Protest Update

Galvez also clarifies that the Liberal Party is not part of the CPP’s “Red October”. However, he adds that the CPP does desire to form a coalition with opposition groups to be able to oust the President. The party might not be officially associated with the communists but many of them especially the yellow-minded can only support the insurgents because of their intention to get rid of Duterte.