AN OFFICIAL of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) warned the faithful Friday, September 24, of the possibility of seeing "moro-moro" candidacies emerging in the May 2022 polls.
In a radio interview, CBCP-Commission on the Laity Chairman Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the public should be vigilant over the possibility of seeing false candidates filing their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) in October.
"Even after their declaration, and even the filing of COCs, there will still be substitution happening until November. Therefore, we are still not sure who are the ones running," said Pabillo.
"The reluctancy they are showing shows that this might just be a moro-moro. We really don't know," he added, while making reference to the theatrical presentation during the Spanish colonial era.
He said one need not to look far than the actions of now President Rodrigo Duterte back in the May 2016 polls.
The prelate said he will not be surprised if Duterte's daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, will replicate the strategy of her father.
"It is similar to 2016, isn't it? Duterte engaged in a moro-moro when he said he won't run for president but eventually sought the presidency," he recalled.
"It is the same with Mayor Duterte, who said she won't run for national office and just stay in Davao. It might be another case of moro-moro too," added Pabillo.
To recall, President Duterte was a substitute candidate of PDP-Laban for its standard bearer, Martin Diño, back in the May 2016 presidential elections. This was despite the then Davao City mayor repeatedly denying his plans to run for president.
Duterte-Carpio, on the other hand, has already announced her plans to seek re-election in the May 2022 polls despite rumors of her vying to succeed her father.
In turn, the administration party has been pushing long-time Duterte aide, Senator Bong Go, to run for president in 2022. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)