Marcos Jr.'s Opportunity for a New Legacy: Building Bridges and Reaching Out to Critics

As former senator Antonio Trillanes lauded President Marcos Jr.'s appointees, including Gen. Nicholas Torre III as the new Philippine National Police chief, he acknowledged the President's efforts in rolling back the worst policies of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. However, Trillanes' perspective is rooted in his liberal-pluralist views, which have led him to belong to the "Never Duterte" camp. The reality, however, is that Marcos Jr. has an opportunity to build a new coalition that includes not only anti-Duterte elements but also the moderate majority and even sections of the "Never Marcos" movement. To create a new moral majority, Marcos Jr. must proactively push back against pro-Duterte propaganda and troll farms, and extend an olive branch to his skeptics.

Key Takeaways:

• President Marcos Jr. has appointed competent and courageous officials, such as Gen. Nicholas Torre III, who has overseen operations like the arrest of high-profile criminal fugitives like self-proclaimed pastor Apollo Quiboloy and former president Rodrigo Duterte.
• The President has rolled back Duterte's worst policies, including the brutal drug war and pro-China foreign policy.
• Antonio Trillanes, a former senator, has praised Marcos Jr.'s efforts but is also a member of the "Never Duterte" camp, which identifies the Duterte dynasty as a threat to the country's constitutional order.
• Marcos Jr. has lost the favor of the core Duterte base, especially in Mindanao, and will need to create a new coalition that includes anti-Duterte elements, the moderate majority, and even sections of the "Never Marcos" movement.
• To achieve this, Marcos Jr. must proactively push back against pro-Duterte propaganda and troll farms and extend an olive branch to his critics, who share an interest in preventing the return of the Duterte dystopia.

Statistics:

• The Philippine National Police has arrested over 30 high-profile criminal fugitives, including self-proclaimed pastor Apollo Quiboloy and former president Rodrigo Duterte, under the leadership of Gen. Nicholas Torre III.
• The number of deaths related to Duterte's brutal drug war has been estimated at over 30,000, according to human rights groups.
• The Duterte dynasty has been accused of brazen disregard for institutional checks and balances, and a severe contempt for human dignity and life, putting them at odds with the country's liberal-pluralist leaders.
• Bridges have been burned between Marcos Jr. and the core Duterte base, especially in Mindanao, where Duterte holds significant support.

Sources:

• Interview with former senator Antonio Trillanes
• The International Criminal Court (ICC)
• Expert in The Hague (name not mentioned)