from The Philippine Star
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=560793&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has formally accepted the symbolic torch of leadership of the Marcos forces in Philippine politics when he was feted on Wednesday last week at the Manila Polo Club by former Cabinet members and colleagues of his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos, political leaders and supporters, former ranking officers of the military and police, and members of the Marcos-Romualdez clan.
“I know everyone of you have busy schedules and active lives,” Marcos, a senatorial bet, told the gathering of some 300 guests. “For you to find time to show support for my candidacy is very moving. You strengthen my confidence that we will win in the coming elections.”
Marcos spoke of how he could have had a comfortable life, just staying away from politics. But the legacy of his father was in fact “a call to service and leadership.” Politics and leadership are in his DNA, he said.
The gathering was conceived by Philippine Constitutional Association president and former presidential legal counsel Manuel Lazaro and former deputy executive secretary Ramon Cardenas as a rally of support for Bongbong’s candidacy. The event became an emotional reunion for many, as they renewed ties with one another.
Among the key personalities from the Marcos administration were former Prime Minister Cesar Virata, former Central Bank governor and education secretary Jaime Laya, former agrarian reform secretary Conrado Estrella, former economic planning secretary Vicente Valdepeñas, and former budget secretary Manuel Alba.
Lazaro, who also hosted the gathering, set the tone for the affair by declaring outright: “Our collective goal is to make Bongbong the No. 1 senator in this election. Let’s make that happen.”
Virata openly expressed his support for Bongbong, saying that in his native Cavite the people will surely rally behind his candidacy.
For his part, Estrella explicitly spoke of the passing of the torch to Bongbong, as he talked of Marcos I and Marcos II, and called on Bongbong to carry and build on the great legacy of his father.
The Marcos-Romualdez family was led by no less than Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, herself a former human settlements minister and governor of Metro Manila.
With her eyes welling up in tears, Mrs. Marcos expressed her joy and thanks to the gathering. She recalled the original vision and the time of service of President Marcos to the nation. She declared that to the last, the late president was “a man of peace,” and never more so than at the height of the EDSA revolution in February 1986.
It was the candidate finally who spelled out the task ahead for all those gathered at the Manila Polo Club. He reminded them of some words of political wisdom that his father taught him, if and when he ever enters politics.
“Politics is a game of addition,” he recalled his father saying. “So our challenge now is to play this game well, by adding to our forces.”
Clarification sought
Yesterday, Bongbong also asked the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the National Democratic Front-Communist Party of the Philippines (NDF-CPP), to tell him if he is on its hit list.
In a statement, Bongbong sought the clarification as the NPA celebrates its 41st founding anniversary on March 29.
“I want the NPA to clarify this. If indeed an NPA hit list exists and if I am included in that list, I want valid reasons why they want me dead,” Marcos said.
Marcos said it is a long-standing rumor that he is included in the NPA hit list of people targeted for assassination just because he is the son of former President Marcos.
Marcos said he wants to get it straight from the NPA leadership so he may explain his side and answer all accusations against him. - With Jose Rodel Clapano
MANILA, Philippines - Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has formally accepted the symbolic torch of leadership of the Marcos forces in Philippine politics when he was feted on Wednesday last week at the Manila Polo Club by former Cabinet members and colleagues of his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos, political leaders and supporters, former ranking officers of the military and police, and members of the Marcos-Romualdez clan.
“I know everyone of you have busy schedules and active lives,” Marcos, a senatorial bet, told the gathering of some 300 guests. “For you to find time to show support for my candidacy is very moving. You strengthen my confidence that we will win in the coming elections.”
Marcos spoke of how he could have had a comfortable life, just staying away from politics. But the legacy of his father was in fact “a call to service and leadership.” Politics and leadership are in his DNA, he said.
The gathering was conceived by Philippine Constitutional Association president and former presidential legal counsel Manuel Lazaro and former deputy executive secretary Ramon Cardenas as a rally of support for Bongbong’s candidacy. The event became an emotional reunion for many, as they renewed ties with one another.
Among the key personalities from the Marcos administration were former Prime Minister Cesar Virata, former Central Bank governor and education secretary Jaime Laya, former agrarian reform secretary Conrado Estrella, former economic planning secretary Vicente Valdepeñas, and former budget secretary Manuel Alba.
Lazaro, who also hosted the gathering, set the tone for the affair by declaring outright: “Our collective goal is to make Bongbong the No. 1 senator in this election. Let’s make that happen.”
Virata openly expressed his support for Bongbong, saying that in his native Cavite the people will surely rally behind his candidacy.
For his part, Estrella explicitly spoke of the passing of the torch to Bongbong, as he talked of Marcos I and Marcos II, and called on Bongbong to carry and build on the great legacy of his father.
The Marcos-Romualdez family was led by no less than Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, herself a former human settlements minister and governor of Metro Manila.
With her eyes welling up in tears, Mrs. Marcos expressed her joy and thanks to the gathering. She recalled the original vision and the time of service of President Marcos to the nation. She declared that to the last, the late president was “a man of peace,” and never more so than at the height of the EDSA revolution in February 1986.
It was the candidate finally who spelled out the task ahead for all those gathered at the Manila Polo Club. He reminded them of some words of political wisdom that his father taught him, if and when he ever enters politics.
“Politics is a game of addition,” he recalled his father saying. “So our challenge now is to play this game well, by adding to our forces.”
Clarification sought
Yesterday, Bongbong also asked the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the National Democratic Front-Communist Party of the Philippines (NDF-CPP), to tell him if he is on its hit list.
In a statement, Bongbong sought the clarification as the NPA celebrates its 41st founding anniversary on March 29.
“I want the NPA to clarify this. If indeed an NPA hit list exists and if I am included in that list, I want valid reasons why they want me dead,” Marcos said.
Marcos said it is a long-standing rumor that he is included in the NPA hit list of people targeted for assassination just because he is the son of former President Marcos.
Marcos said he wants to get it straight from the NPA leadership so he may explain his side and answer all accusations against him. - With Jose Rodel Clapano
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