Neil
During his speech in Jolo, Sulu, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he can already die happy knowing that he has ‘dismantled’ oligarchy in the country which supposedly controlled the country’s economy and the people.
“Ganun nila nilaro ang bayan ko. Kaya ako mamatay, mahulog ang eroplano, I am very happy. Alam mo bakit, without declaring martial law I dismantled the oligarchy that controlled the economy and the Filipino people,” Duterte said.
[That’s how they played my country. That’s why if I’ll die, if the plane crashes, I am very happy. You know why, without declaring martial law I dismantled the oligarchy that controlled the economy and the Filipino people]
Duterte made the statement after the Congress denied ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. Thus, people assumed that Duterte is referring to ABS-CBN in the speech.
In line with this, celebrities and other personalities expressed their reactions on social media.
Siya ang presidente; congressman, vice mayor, at mayor ang anak; friends ng mga Marcos-Romualdez, at ng mga Arroyo, suportado ng mga Estrada, mga Dy, at iba pang political dynasty, etc etc. Sino ang oligarch? https://t.co/C48XdFaqXW
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) July 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/roxsantos/status/1282904001650896896
Galit na galit sa isang pamilya.
Nandamay ng 11,000 na pamilya.
Sa gitna ng pandemya.The best kayo, Tatay Digs. https://t.co/YSP0N1pdiw
— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) July 14, 2020
Oh akala ko ba walang kinalaman ang executive branch dito? Care to explain po Spox. Roque, Cong. Alan Cayetano, Cong. Defensor? https://t.co/jhtYO78FkW
— Kevin Manalo (@kevinmanalo_) July 14, 2020
So apparently, no to "oligarchs" but yes to cronies and political dynasties. This happened in the 70s, it is happening now.
You can try convincing people to hate "oligarchs" all you want. People just hate hypocrites.
— Mike Navallo (@mikenavallo) July 14, 2020
Galit sa umano’y oligarchs pero political dynasty sila. Ano tawag doon?
— Kevin Manalo (@kevinmanalo_) July 14, 2020
Now you know why 70:11 was the vote. https://t.co/RhX7YF9sOe
— Ces Oreña-Drilon (@cesdrilon) July 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/krizzy_kalerqui/status/1282887787872649216
Cut the crap, Duterte. Stop saying you are dismantling oligarchy when you are very much creating your cronies and your new set of oligarchs.
Example? Dennis Uy who is one of your top campaign donors during the 2016 elections not to forget Villar’s as well. pic.twitter.com/k8tPsLwEig
— Ryan (@rryyyaaaannnn) July 14, 2020
Is he referring to the Lopezes?? That’s a privately-owned company. Family business! They’re not even in govt.
Hoy, yung mga naniniwala sa statement ng pangulo, mag-isip kayo para sa sarili ninyo. Read to lead!#IbalikAngABSCBN https://t.co/rmuTMyEGHT
— Pia Magalona ⁷ #DefendOurFreedom (@piamagalona) July 14, 2020
Wow. If this is your #lifegoals damn!!
At hindi niya napigilang magyabang, so all those scripts about NEUTRAL daw siya are out the window haha. #IbalikAngABSCBN https://t.co/dPa22wjEbE
— Pia Magalona ⁷ #DefendOurFreedom (@piamagalona) July 14, 2020
You got what you wanted. Please focus on the pandemic now. https://t.co/ODbCimoB9L
— Ria Atayde (@RiaAtayde) July 14, 2020
JUST TO BE CLEAR: Duterte is wrong. The Lopezes are part of the oligarchy but they do not really control the economy. In terms of wealth and influence, "credit" goes to the Villars, not to mention others who are frequent visitors of Malacañan Palace.
— Danilo Arao (@dannyarao) July 14, 2020
However, after getting flak, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that Duterte’s tirades are not for the Lopezes, but for Lucio Tan, Manny Pangilinan, and the Ayala clans instead.
But the Ayalas, Lucio Tan, and Manny Pangilinan are still running their businesses. They haven’t been dismantled.
Please naman. Stop insulting the intelligence of the Filipino people. https://t.co/Vfu7gr8eC5
— Barnaby Lo (@barnabychuck) July 14, 2020
How can he be referring to Tan, MVP and the Ayalas? He forgave them, even apologized and let them run their business. He was clearly referring to the Lopezes by dismantling the reach and influence of ABSCBN. https://t.co/EAfCtyNrGl
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) July 14, 2020
Mamatey? https://t.co/sW9ZZWdtLM
— John Lapus (@KorekKaJohn) July 14, 2020
For the record, Duterte had already forgiven Lucio Tan, Manny Pangilinan, and the Ayalas. He also apologized to these businessmen and allowed them to continue their business.
