A House leader appealed to Filipinos to reject the Duterte dynasty and their pro-China allies in regaining full political control beyond 2025.

Zambales Representative Jay Khonghun warned voters that allowing former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte to regain full political control beyond 2025 will bring back the worst failures of their administration — China’s growing influence in Philippine waters, state-sponsored killings, illegal POGO operations, and large-scale corruption in government.

“Pinakita ng dating administrasyon kung ano ang mangyayari kapag isang pamilya lang ang may hawak ng kapangyarihan. Pinabayaan nilang apak-apakan tayo ng China sa West Philippine Sea, hinayaan nilang mamayagpag ang mga sindikato ng ilegal na POGO, at iba pa. Gusto ba talaga nating bumalik sa panahong iyon?” Khonghun said.

He stressed that a return of the Duterte brand of governance would weaken Philippine sovereignty and expose the country once again to lawlessness and impunity.

“We cannot forget how Duterte bowed to China and set aside our victory at The Hague. Under his watch, China built military bases in the West Philippine Sea, while Filipino fishermen were harassed and blocked from our own waters. Now, they want to return to power? The Filipino people should not allow it,” Khonghun said.

He also warned against electing pro-Duterte senators, saying that a Senate dominated by Duterte allies would only push the country back to foreign appeasement and national betrayal.

“We saw thousands of Filipinos – mostly the poor – gunned down in the streets without due process while drug lords and corrupt officials walked free,” he added.

Khonghun also took aim at VP Duterte, saying her impeachment case is a crucial test of whether the country will hold the Duterte family accountable for its abuses.

He also emphasized that the upcoming elections will determine whether Filipinos will allow the return of a government tainted by corruption, extrajudicial killings, and foreign appeasement.

“The power is in the hands of the people. Reject the candidates who are Duterte’s pawns. Choose leaders who will fight for a stronger, sovereign, and corruption-free Philippines,” he said.

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Jester P. Manalastas