Nikki Valdez: I voted for Duterte but…

MANILA, Philippines — Actress Nikki Valdez admitted that she voted for then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for president in 2016 believing that he will become a voice of the marginalized.

But ahead of the President’s fifth State of the Nation Address, Nikki questioned Duterte’s governance that supposedly ignored the country’s real problems.

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“Mula nang ako’y naging registered voter, sinigurado kong gamitin ang boto ko para magluklok ng mga pulitikong tingin ko ay makakabuti at gagawa ng mabuti para sa ating bansa. At noong 2016, oo binoto kita Pres. Duterte pati ang pamilya ko,” Nikki said in an Instagram post Sunday.

(Since I became a registered voter, I made sure to vote for candidates who I think can be good for the country. And in 2016, yes, my family and I voted for you President Duterte.)

“Sa paniniwalang magkakaboses ang maliliit na tao na sinasabi mo noon na dadamayan mo. Nakita namin ang kasimplehan mo na kahit Presidente ka ay abot na abot ka ng mga tao. Nakita namin ang political will mo,” she went on, adding that she ignored the President’s cussing at the time.

(I believed that you will become a voice to the marginalized whom you said you will help. We saw your simplicity that even if you are President, the people can reach you. We saw your political will.)

But four years into his six-year term, many incidents transpired that Nikki said made her question the President’s governance.

“Ultimo ang Santo Papa, minura mo, pinagsalitaan ng kung ano ano, nawala ang respeto mo sa mga kababaihan kahit may mga anak kang babae, inuna mo ang personal na galit at paghihiganti kaya ganon na lamang ang kawalang bahala mo sa mga totoong pangangailangan at problema ng ating bayan…” said Nikki

(You even cursed at the Pope, you showed disrespect to women even if you have daughters, you prioritized your personal anger and revenge, that’s why you easily ignored the real needs of our country.)

She likewise criticized the late suspension of flights from China at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and said: “Bakit nasa China na ata ang katapatan mo?”

(Why does it seem that your loyalty is with China?)

“Bakit inuna mo ang Anti Terror Bill? Bakit mas inuna mo ang pagpapasara sa ABS-CBN at pagkitil sa kabuhayan ng libo libong empleyado pero nanatili dito ang mga POGO [Philippine offshore gaming operator]? Ito ba talaga ang mga plano mo para sa Pilipinas?” she said.

(Why did you prioritize the anti terror bill? Why did you prioritize the closure of ABS-CBN which affected jobs of many but you chose POGO to say? Is this really your plan for the Philippines?)

“Ano nanaman kaya ang sasabihin mo bukas? ‘Joke lang?’”

(What will you say tomorrow? It’s just a joke?)

Malacañang said the President is “neutral” on the franchise of ABS-CBN.

 gsg