Presidential candidate Norberto Gonzales has vowed to rally activists who fought for Filipino rights during Martial Law to prevent the return of another Marcos to Malacanang.
In a virtual press conference, Gonzales, the candidate of the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas, said Filipinos should not wait for the return of the former dictator’s family, through former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to the Palace.
“This makes the elections more important now,” said the former national security adviser and defense secretary, who was jailed, then exiled by the elder Marcos during the 1970s.
“The activists who are still alive, let’s move now. Explain to the youth, let them be critical. Explain what really our history is, what really happened. We will go straight to the people, like before when the people judged them,” Gonzales said, referring to the EDSA Revolution in 1986.
However, the former defense chief under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was saddened with what happened with the country after 1986, as it seems more Filipinos want the Marcos family back in power.
“I thought after 1986 we already judged the Marcoses. I thought that was over. That’s why we are going back to the people and explain why in 1986 people judged the Marcos family. What they are doing now is disturbing because they are changing history,” Gonzales said.
“Let’s not wait for that to happen. As early as now, let’s challenge that,” he added in a mix of English and Filipino.
Gonzales’ goal is to “change the prevailing form of politics in our country. In my experience from over a decade of public service, I’ve learned that politics and the quality of politicians are important in setting directions for our country,” he said.
