What can truly weaken the Duterte political base? It’s not the Marcoses. It’s not the endless demolition jobs against the Dutertes. The real danger is a more sinister plan: propping up a few “pretend pro-Duterte” leaders who echo Duterte policies kuno, amplify anti-Marcos sentiments, and slowly build alliances with the dilawans turned kakampinks.
Let’s remember the numbers. The kakampink vote has always been stuck between 14–16 million since 2016. Leni Robredo, Risa Hontiveros, & Kiko Pangilinan, all stayed within that ceiling. The only outlier? Bam Aquino, who reached 20 million votes.
How? In 2024, Bam distanced himself from the Liberal Party (LP) and became chairman of the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP), a youth-centered party. He carried a message tied to Free Tertiary Education. This clear & convincing message unlike the usual “tama nga kami, mali kayo” and “let me educate you”—converted new voters.
Hence, aside from the kakampink vote ceiling. Added to Bam’s vote are the supporters of KNP, the endorsement of INC, and the converted Duterte supporters, especially those who have benefited from the free college education (Gen Z).
Now, this very strategy is being employed by Baguio Mayor Magalong and Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto.
Let’s ask the hard questions:
- Where were Magalong and Vico when VP Sara exposed the budget insertions of Martin Romualdez and Zaldy Co? Silent.
- Where were they when Cong. Isidro Ungab revealed the blank spaces in the Bicameral Report? Silent.
- Where were they when Marcos signed the 2025 GAA despite the enrolled bill being unsigned by Congress? Silent.
- When there were human rights violated during the KOJC siege, did we hear any words from them? None.
- When obvious violations of the 1987 Constitution were revealed when PRRD was brought to the Hague, did they ever call out the people involved? No. They celebrated.
- When VP Sara was singled out on her Confidential Fund (CF), was there any statement from them telling the HOR to be fair and invite other agencies, especially that Mayors and LGUs also have their CFs too? They were nowhere to be found.
For three years, they let the Dutertes take all the blows from Marcos. Now, as 2028 draws closer, suddenly they are vocal? Suddenly they are national figures?
Then came up with “Mayors for Good Governance?”
Why? Because their strategy is simple: play pro-Duterte to win DDS, play anti-Marcos to win kakampinks, and ride on populist issues like flood control projects to get media mileage and convert the sleepers.
Let’s not be naïve. These people cannot openly attack Marcos because they need him. Remember that Marcos has his own Marcos apologists and loyalists (most are Ilokanos). And many kakampinks, for all their “never again” theatrics, have now swallowed their pride to cozy up with Marcos just to keep the Dutertes out.
Last 11/18/2016, Vico Sotto posted this: “Huwag tayong magpaloko! Tama na ang historical revisionism!!! Ipaglaban ang HUSTISIYA!!! #MarcosNOTaHero.”
But where was Vico Sotto from 2022 until early 2025?
Comfortably roaming around Pasig while his city’s river remains dirty, polluted, and symbolic of his empty promises. For years, he was silent on the national abuses of the Marcos administration. No strong statements. No real fight.
Also, Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto proposed lowering the age requirements for both the presidency and the senate. He is also one of the few senators pushing for VP Sara’s impeachment trial. He is Vico’s uncle. Now connect the dots.
The formula is obvious. One must echo Duterte narratives to get DDS sympathy. Push anti-Marcos lines to win kakampinks loyalty. Unite both to build a “new opposition” and once in power—turn their backs, just like Risa Hontiveros did.
Remember Risa? She begged Duterte support in Mindanao after losing twice. When she finally won, she was one of the first to attack PRRD. That’s the Liberal playbook.
Today, PRRD is detained in The Hague. There is an ongoing effort to bar VP Sara from holding a national office. Mayor Baste is the target of demolition jobs. Cong. Pulong is being strangled through the budget.
The Dutertes remain the Marcos admin’s number one threat. Most resources were used against them just to bring them down. The kakampinks? They are busy asslicking Romualdez and Marcos— forgetting their “never again” and “Marcos magnanakaw” narratives.
And now, Magalong and Vico are positioning themselves. Do not be fooled. This is nothing but a strategy to divide the Duterte base and make way for the dilawans turned kakampinks to rise again.
If they succeed in luring a chunk of Duterte supporters, the Liberals will have their path back to Malacañang. And once they’re there, history has shown, they will use us, then betray us.
The Duterte base must remain vigilant. We’ve seen this playbook before. This is fakery, this is deception, and this is betrayal waiting to happen.
Editorial: Tio Moreno
PS: This post is purely an opinion. An analysis of the current political landscape, particularly the media mileage that Magalong and Vico are getting from their flood control projects and other exposés. Also, I am not against them, I am merely talking about their “possible” election strategy. The point is simple: if they are truly against corruption and abuse, then they should call it out in all forms, even when it involves people outside their political comfort zone.
