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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Was Bongbong's comment on 'motherhood statements' a jab at Manny?

Was Bongbong's comment on 'motherhood statements' a jab at Manny?

Published Mar 16, 2022 06:36 pm

Did Bongbong Marcos take a shot at his fellow presidential candidate, Senator Manny Pacquiao over the latter's alleged use of "motherhood statements"?

Presidential candidates Bongbong Marcos (left) and Manny Pacquiao (Photos from MANILA BULLETIN/ AFP)


Marcos graced the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum on Wednesday, March 16. There, he uttered the following remarks.

"Madaling mag-motherhood statement, 'Gumawa tayo ng maraming trabaho, lahat ng corrupt ikukulong natin (It's easy to make Motherhood statement, 'We will generate a lot of jobs, we will jail everybody who is corrupt).' Walang silbi yun eh (That's useless), it doesn't really help."

A motherhood statement in poltical speak is a generalized statement that's often devoid of particular details on how to achieve a goal or perform a certain task.

While former senator Marcos didn't mention Pacquiao by name, it should be noted that, out of all the aspirants to the Palace seat in the May 9 polls, only the Filipino boxing icon has threatened to jail all corrupt officials in a way that's akin to a campaign catchphrase.

Here's the context of Marcos's statement: he was asked in the forum if he "feared" being ganged up upon by his poll rivals during a presidential debate, invitations of which he has been very choosy at granting.

"No, that's OK...that's another thing, I've been answering these questions for 35 years. Why do I have to answer them again? Nothing is going to change. Their opinions isn't going to change; my opinion isn't going to change. Why are we doing this again?" the UniTeam member said.

"Let's talk about the present and let's talk about the future. That is what is on people's minds. People are worried what is our life going to be, what are you (candidates) going to do for us? What will you do that will help my life, that will help the school of my child, of my prospects in my job. All these things. Those are what people are worried about," Marcos continued.

"If we will talk about that then fine, well and good. But be given also a chance to talk about it in detail. Because madaling mag-motherhood statement...," he said.

Just before his comment on motherhood statements, Marcos, the current survey frontrunner, said that he would rather join campaign sorties around the county than take part in "repetitive debates".

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Bongbong Marcos 31622 Motherhood statements kapihan sa manila bay jab debates corrupt shot jail Manny Pacquiao
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