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A big lame duck looking for bigger scapegoats

June 20, 2025

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The Freeman

It's becoming clear the Dutertes are winning over the Marcoses in the area of public relations and political maneuvers.

- Atty. Josephus B. Jimenez

It has been said, and rightly so, that politicians are natural-born political animals. That's why an incumbent whose party candidates lost in the last election is correctly called a lame duck. But since he isn't inclined to just admit the faults that caused his defeat, he points fingers at other sacrificial lambs.

The president didn't expect his party's bets to lose. The Alyansa had superior war chests, in billions. The administration has many taipans, tycoons, business magnates, and industry barons lining up to contribute their share. That's why businessmen hate elections. They end up funding campaigns.

Throughout the election campaign, the administration ticket had control over Ayuda, 4Ps, Tupad, Akap, and AICS. The incumbents have a big chunk of confidential funds to buy the support of the many versions of Mary Grace Piattos. Many running for reelection or other posts had full use of budgets for travel, representation, and transportation.

Despite its advantages, out of twelve, or eleven without Imee, the majority party only managed to win five seats. That wasn't a mediocre performance for an administration ticket. It was a disaster.

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