The Philippines’ presidential palace Malacañang announced yesterday that President Rodrigo Duterte would address the nation today at 3pm to talk about what officials say is an important issue.
The sudden announcement now has many people worriedly guessing what this might be all about, and it doesn’t help that the administration has been pretty coy about their plans.
“He announced in Davao that he wants to speak to the nation. It is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque simply said during a media briefing, as reported by ABS-CBN News.
Apart from the schedule, Roque did not divulge much more information.
Giving additional hints was Duterte’s Special Assistant Bong Go, who in another press conference said the President plans to co-host the announcement with Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo in a “showbiz-type” press conference, CNN Philippines reported.
“The concept was Atty. Panelo’s idea, so it will be [a] glamorous discussion,” he said in English and Filipino.
What that means, no one knows.
But like Roque, Go was vague about what the President will talk about.
“He’s just going to address a few things, the usual presscon, issues of the day or issues of the week that need to be addressed,” he said.
According to the Philippine Star, Duterte will also hold a cabinet meeting today. However, it is unknown whether this will happen before or after his address.
These scanty details were enough for people’s imaginations to run wild.
Some questioned why the president chose to hold the address today, Sept. 11, noting that it is the birthday of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
https://twitter.com/mavsrivs/status/1039337304630878210
Duterte is quite close to the Marcoses. He supported Bonbong Marcos’ campaign for Vice President despite not being his running mate. He also said last month that he might step down from his position if Bongbong wins his electoral protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.
Some also worry that, like Marcos, Duterte will declare martial law.
“Think Duterte will declare martial law later at 3pm?” @DoroRhoe tweeted.
Magdeclare kaya ng martial law si duterte mamayang 3pm?
— kristoffer rhoe (@DoroRhoe) September 11, 2018
@Jasoncharaan had a more dramatic theory.
“Someone will shoot Duterte while he’s speaking. He’ll die. A document declaring Bongbong as VP will come out therefore making him the new president.
“Martial law will be declared.
“Oops!”
https://twitter.com/Jasoncharaan/status/1039322327077412864
While quite over the top, their worries are not unfounded.
Duterte has praised Marcos’ martial law rule, even calling it “very good” last year. This, despite the thousands of killings, human rights violations, and corruption that happened at the time. Mindanao, one of the Philippines’ three major islands, has also been under martial law since May last year following the Battle of Marawi.
Some were a little bit more logical and think the address could be about current issues that have been plaguing the country like inflation and the voiding of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s amnesty.
“Now Duterte is on panic mode, which is why he’ll have the address later at 3pm,” @lowpressurearea said. “For what? To blame inflation on others? Another attack at LP (Liberal Party) and Sen Trillanes?”
https://twitter.com/lowpressurearea/status/1039342522835726338
Last month, the Philippines’ inflation rate reached 6.4 percent, the highest in more than 9 years and is the highest in the ASEAN, Rappler reported. Prices of goods are so high, a kilo of siling labuyo or bird’s eye chilis had a peak price of PHP1,000 (US$18.53) in some markets in Metro Manila.
Duterte has also been criticized for his voiding of Trillanes’ amnesty last week and ordering the senator’s arrest.
Other netizens are simply worried about what Duterte might say in his address later today. “What will Duterte announce at 3pm?” @migueltorresss_ asked with three — count ’em — three sad face emojis.
https://twitter.com/migueltorresss_/status/1039336033920331776
For all we know, the address may not be about anything special but it looks like everyone’s watching with bated breath.
