Atty. Makdo Castañares, a congressional aspirant for Bohol’s 3rd District, has issued an impassioned open letter to former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, expressing solidarity and frustration over recent events, including Duterte’s arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The letter, written in Cebuano, comes as Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s deadly war on drugs, a development that has sparked widespread debate and protests across the country.
In the letter posted on Facebook, Castañares praised Duterte’s tenure from 2016 to 2022, crediting him with monumental achievements that benefitted ordinary Filipinos.
“Sa imong paglingkod isip Presidente sa nasudnong Pilipinhon niadtong 2016-2022, daghan kaayong kaayuhan ang midangat sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino,” he wrote, citing Duterte’s efforts in reducing government corruption, curbing drug proliferation, and deterring crime.
He also lauded the former president for approving and implementing major infrastructure projects and managing the Covid-19 pandemic to minimize deaths.
Castañares’ letter took a somber turn as he addressed Duterte’s arrest earlier this month, which saw the former leader transported to The Hague to face ICC charges. The move has been met with outrage by Duterte’s supporters, who allege collusion between the ICC and the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Sa pagdakop sa ICC kanimo, inubanan sa pag-kontsabo sa kasamtangang administrasyon, masulob-on kaayo mi sa mga panghitabo,” Castañares wrote, expressing sorrow and confusion over the developments.
He added, “Wa mi kasabot unsa among gibati. Puno kaayo mi sa kasuko, ug pagka-dismaya diin ang imong pagtabang sa pamilyang Marcos nahug lamang ug wa’y bili,” suggesting a sense of betrayal given Duterte’s past political alliance with the Marcos family.
The congressional hopeful also voiced continued resistance against what he called an “illegal impeachment” of Vice President Sara Duterte, the former president’s daughter, as well as ongoing issues of corruption, drugs, and crime.
“Apan bisan pa man sa tanan, padayon mi nga makigbisog batok sa illegal nga impeachment ni VP Inday, lantarang korapsyon, guinadiling drogas, ug pagdagsa sa kriminalidad sa among mga nataran,” he pledged.
Castañares concluded by reaffirming Duterte’s enduring legacy as a symbol of hope.
“Brod FPRRD (Mason brotherhood), magpabilin ka nga simbolo kanamo nga bisan pa man sa tanang pagsulay, kalisod ug kawad-on adunay pag-asa ug adunay kaginhawa-an ug solusyon ang tanan,” he wrote, assuring Duterte that his supporters would carry forward his fight against corruption, drugs, and crime.
“Ayaw kabalaka kay among ipadayon ang imong kawsa batok sa korapsyon, drogas ug kriminalidad. We will stand with you to the end, Brod!” he declared, ending with a rallying cry: “Mabuhi ka!”