PRESS STATEMENT

01 December 2024

Undersecretary Ernesto C Torres Jr

Executive Director, NTF ELCAC

“Burning the house down”

In a political landscape where every move can ripple across national stability, the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives has always been at the forefront of rocking the boat at every turn imaginable. Its recent condemnation of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for allegedly interfering in impeachment plans against Vice President Sara Duterte reeks of opportunism, and deserves scrutiny for what it reveals about its real motivations.

Makabayan’s dual approach—championing VP Duterte’s impeachment while condemning President Marcos for allegedly not supporting it—may seem like a logical one-two punch. Because they demand accountability from the Vice President, while they criticize the President when he refuses to get on board. Like a brat throwing a fit, Makabayan is angry that the person they seem to rely on is distancing himself from their agenda.

One wonders: If the impeachment is about justice and accountability, why should the President’s neutrality—or even opposition—be a factor? Makabayan's demand for legislative independence rings hollow when they simultaneously seek executive validation for their sinister crusade.

President Marcos' call for lawmakers to drop impeachment proceedings is a call for national unity, one that Makabayan seems very allergic to. This is, of course, on brand; the CPP has always maintained capitalizing on political instability or factional disputes among "elites," viewing these divisions as chances to weaken their control and influence.

By sowing distrust and amplifying divisions between branches of government, they undermine the very institutions they claim to be a part of. A stable political environment is essential for effective governance, but their actions only deepen the fractures within our political system.

Makabayan’s outrage at the President’s alleged “interference” is a textbook example of exploiting tension for political gain. The statement seems to position them as defenders of the constitutional separation of powers, yet the opportunistic motive raises questions. In making loud proclamations about executive overreach, Makabayan projects itself as a principled defender of democracy, all the while sidestepping its own questionable motivations.

This is not, of course, the first time Makabayan has engaged in what is clearly political opportunism. The penchant for latching onto divisive issues, often under the guise of advocacy or good governance, is a calculated, if not desperate, attempt to draw public sympathy and political mileage. Being a concoction and political machinery of the Communist Party of the Philippines, Makabayan has no genuine concern for national unity or progress.

Its public leaders, current representatives in Congress, howl like mad dogs for justice when they themselves refuse to face accountability. France Castro is a convicted felon who trafficked indigenous people's children in the name of the CPP's campaign to "save Lumad schools" in Mindanao. Raoul Manuel has been identified by several former cadres of the CPP as a recruiter for underground mass organizations, including the New People's Army.

If left unchallenged, the actions of these provocateurs have real-world economic implications. Political instability, fueled by publicized calls for impeachment and accusations of interference, can deter investors and disrupt economic momentum. While the country grapples with pressing issues like inflation, challenges in sustainable social services, and threats to national security, the Makabayan Bloc’s focus on impeachment is a senseless distraction from our national priorities.

Perhaps the most damaging aspect of Makabayan bloc’s habit of pouring gasoline on the fire is its impact on public trust. By perpetuating divisive rhetoric and fanning political flames, they contribute to the erosion of faith in government institutions. This cynicism makes it harder for the nation to rally behind collective goals and undermines the social fabric needed for progress. Make no mistake about it—this is their endgame.

In the end, the nation deserves better than political opportunism masquerading as principle, especially coming from groups that have no real concern for nation-building. What is needed now is a collective focus on addressing the challenges that truly matter to Filipinos: economic stability, public welfare, and national security. Let us not second-guess that Makabayan bloc has this in mind while operating in the House of Representatives. They don't; they intend to burn that house down.

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