“EARLY politicking.”

This is how Zambales Representative Jefferson Khonghun described the move of some friends and allies of Vice President Sara Duterte who are calling for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Khonghun said the pro Duterte should avoid making statements showing they want her to take over Malacanang this early, even if President Marcos Jr. still has more than four years to go before he finishes his six-year term in June 2028.

“It’s becoming increasingly clear that supporters of the previous administration, are impatient and unwilling to wait for the (May) 2028 presidential elections,” Khonghun said.

The legislator, a member of the so-called “Young Guns” of the House of Representatives, made the pronouncements in light of the former speaker’s unsolicited advice to the Chief Executive to relinquish his post if he cannot handle the Philippines’ maritime conflict with China well.

The young solon slammed Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez recent statement which is seem less about genuine concern for national strategy and more about orchestrating a shift in power before the due time.

Alvarez is a very close ally of former president Duterte, who has been criticizing Marcos and his administration from time to time. Alvarez had a previous tiff with the younger Duterte in 2018, which cost him his speakership.

The solon has reminded Alvarez that Marcos obtained the highest votes garnered by a presidential candidate in Philippine history, reaching 31 million votes, which in effect is an overwhelming mandate from the Filipino people.

“One must consider the possibility that such calls for President Marcos Jr. to resign are part of a broader destabilization effort, aiming to unsettle the current administration and expedite a political transition that aligns with their interests,” Khonghun said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas