LABOR leader Leody de Guzman yesterday berated fellow presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for refusing to take a stand on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) bet said the former senator’s proposal of neutrality revealed his superficial understanding of the issue and instinct to shy away from any confrontation.
“Marcos Jr.’s refusal to state a position on the war in Ukraine is no different from the cowardice he has shown in the debates. It appears that he has a habit of steering clear of responsibility,” De Guzman said.
Marcos has received flak from his opponents for turning down several invitations to engage other presidential candidates in a debate or forum.
De Guzman clarified that his stance of non-alignment is far different from Marcos’ preference not to take any stand at all.
“While it is imperative that we see to the safety of our OFWs in the midst of a conflict, it would be narrow-minded to dwell only on the war’s impact on our own interest. Remaining neutral in the face of oppression of the weak by the powerful is no different from siding with the oppressor,” he said.
He said the Philippines being a responsible member of the community of nations, it is only right for our government to speak up against the transgression of a military power against the sovereignty to another state.
“I am against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the interference of other powerful governments who dictate on the decisions of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), particularly the United States and United Kingdom.
“Non-alignment is a posture of being unallied with and rejection to submit to being a tool for the imperialist designs of others. It is anchored on self-determination and founded solely on the welfare of the working masses,” he explained.
He noted that between Russia’s military incursion into Ukraine and the economic sanctions imposed against Moscow, the ones who are hardest hit are the working populations and the underprivileged sectors of both countries.
De Guzman pointed out that an aspiring leader of the Philippines should have a greater appreciation of its history in resisting colonization by foreign powers and not disregard the sacrifices of fellow Filipinos.
