Andanar: Black propaganda backfired
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sat, 18 May 2019 09:45:58 +0000
PRESIDENT Duterte with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea during a recent gathering in Malacanang. (Presidential photo)
Communication Secretary Martin Andanar said the public may have decided to vote for the senatorial bets of President Duterte because they were insulted by the black propaganda aimed at the Chief Executive and his family.
Andanar made the statement as the canvassing of votes in Monday’s elections continues. Based on partial, official results, none of the opposition candidates are poised to occupy a seat in the Senate.
In his program over State-run Radyo Pilipinas, the Palace official said the illegal drugs allegations against the President may not have rubbed off well with the voters, resulting to the victory of the administration’s Senate bets.
“Sobrang dumi ng propaganda noong mga kalaban natin sa pulitika, propaganda laban kay Presidente, sa pamilya niya, sa mga kandidato niya…palagay ko nakaapekto rin iyon eh,” Andanar said. “Palagay ko nainsulto ang masang Pilipino doon sa pinagsasasabi ng mga kalaban natin,” he added.
According to Andanar, the opposition should change their strategy if they want to win the hearts of Filipinos over.
“Although we have to be magnanimous in victory, kailangan din sigurong isipin na rin ng mga kalaban natin sa pulitika kung saan sila nagkamali sa kanilang mga strategy at siguro, iyong tipong pagbigyan naman, pakinggan naman ang puso ng masang Pilipino,” he said.
Andanar said it cannot be denied that Duterte has done a lot of things for the country, resulting to the very high satisfaction ratings he have been getting since he assumed the presidency.
“Ang satisfaction rating ng mga kababayan natin, adult Filipinos, 81 percent kay Presidente so siyempre, it rubs off on the candidates,” he said.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo had earlier said Malacañang is open to working with those in the recent polls, saying it’s about time for everyone to set aside political differences.
“We are putting our hands and offering our friendship to the opposition. As I said in my statement, let us unite and build a better Philippines. It’s about time we do that,” Panelo said.
Panelo had also expressed that the Senate will always be independent from the Executive, even urging allies of Duterte to speak out if his policies are against the interest of the people.
“The history of the Senate shows members of that chamber independent ever since. No Senate has ever been under any President. They always rise above parties and considerations, when issues involve national interest, national security, and the interest of the Filipino people,” he said.
“We expect them to be fealty to the duties imposed to them by the Constitution and the laws. They have to support the President when the agenda of the President is for the good of the people. And they will have to oppose it if they feel, in their conscience, that it run counter to the interest of the nation,” he added. (Argyll Geducos)