The Duterte Playbook: Lies, Denials, and Political Gaslighting

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

It’s a tale as old as the Duterte dynasty: bold, brash statements followed by outright denials. The latest episode in this never-ending saga? Sara Duterte’s contradictory remarks about resignation calls and assassination threats.

On March 23, 2025, Duterte made a striking statement:

"Bakit ba kailangang mag-resign? Dahil hindi mo pinapakita sa taumbayan na maayos kang mag-isip at kaya mo ang mamuno."

A pointed remark that clearly questions someone's competence in leadership. But fast forward two days later, on March 25, and she’s suddenly backpedaling:

"Wala akong sinasabing ever na dapat mag-resign si [Marcos]. Ang sinabi ko lang kahapon, sabi ko, kung nananawagan kayo ng ‘BBM resign,’ bigyan niyo ng rason kung bakit ‘yan ang panawagan ninyo sa kanila."

It’s the same old Duterte playbook—throwing incendiary statements left and right, only to deny and deflect when the heat turns up.

A Pattern of Lies and Deception

This isn’t the first time Sara Duterte has made a controversial claim, only to backpedal when pressed. Remember when she sensationally declared that she had already spoken to someone about assassinating Bongbong Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez if anything happened to her?

Later on, she pulled the classic Duterte Denial Move—claiming it wasn’t an assassination threat, just a misunderstood remark. How convenient.

Sinungaling talaga. It has become her trademark at this point. Maybe it should be her second name—Sara "Liar" Zimmerman Duterte. Bagay, di ba?

Some people may find her responses "witty" or "pilosopo," but those who can read between the lines know better. Her statements would never hold water in any professional setting outside of the political sarswela that is Philippine politics.

Is this really the person we want representing us in discussions with world leaders? Just like her father, Rodrigo Duterte, she will be out of place—an embarrassment to a nation that desperately needs competent leadership.

Gaslighting the Nation

The Duterte brand of governance thrives on gaslighting. They spew outrageous statements, manipulate public perception, and when confronted, they deny, play the victim, or shift the blame. The pattern is all too familiar:

Make a controversial statement (e.g., honesty is not an issue in public service).

Get criticized.

Deny ever saying it.

Accuse the media of twisting their words.

Blame someone else.

Repeat.

It’s pathological. And it runs in the family.

In Bisaya, we have words for people like her: "buwaon" (liar) and "guachi" (a deceitful person who takes advantage of others).

And let’s not forget her diehard supporters—the enablers who act as online attack dogs. These people expect Filipinos to suffer selective amnesia, pretending that the internet isn’t filled with receipts of their lies, contradictions, and hypocrisy.

"They want to make us look stupid by denying everything they’ve said, but in reality, they’re the ones who appear ‘shtoopid’ because there’s a mountain of evidence from mainstream media and social media showing their lies and irrational behavior." —Ason Hipolito

The Duterte Legacy: Cowardice Masquerading as Strength

Sara Duterte loves to act tough, just like her father. But let’s be real—her strength is all for show. In Davao, she thrived on fear and control. But in Manila, where people can actually challenge her, she folds.

We’ve seen this pattern before. The moment she faces real opposition, she backtracks, denies, and plays the victim.

Mana sa tatay—palamura, bastos, sinungaling, at mahilig magbawi ng sinabi.

But Filipinos are no longer fooled. We see through the facade, the gaslighting, the cowardice behind the bravado. The question is:

How much longer will we tolerate it?

*Image from Sunstar

Lenlen Oreta: A Legacy of Leadership, Progress, and Public Service

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

As the race for a congressional seat intensifies, former Malabon City Mayor Antolin "Lenlen" Oreta III steps into the national spotlight, carrying with him a legacy of governance marked by transformative initiatives and a commitment to public welfare. His tenure as mayor left a lasting impact on Malabon, improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. Now, he seeks to extend this brand of leadership to a broader stage.

Championing Education and Empowering the Youth

For Lenlen Oreta, education was a cornerstone of progress. He spearheaded the MLLO Scholarship Program, providing thousands of students with financial assistance, ensuring that quality education remained accessible to all. Under his leadership, the city also launched the Gamit sa Pag-aaral, Alalay sa Mag-aaral initiative, supplying students with essential learning materials.

Recognizing the evolving demands of modern education, Oreta introduced digital literacy programs like "Techie na si Lolo at Lola", helping senior citizens adapt to new technology. His administration also strengthened the City of Malabon University (CMU), ensuring accreditation expansion, curriculum modernization, and state-of-the-art facilities to enhance the quality of learning.

Healthcare and Social Welfare: A Commitment to the People

Oreta revolutionized Malabon’s healthcare system by establishing the Ospital ng Malabon (OsMal), providing residents with quality medical services. He also implemented the Health N’yo, Care Ko! program, ensuring all 21 health centers in the city were fully equipped with essential medical supplies.

Beyond hospitals, Oreta prioritized social welfare programs, notably the award-winning "Karinderya Para sa Kalusugan ni Chikiting." This initiative tackled childhood malnutrition by partnering with local eateries to provide nutritious meals for undernourished children. Additionally, the Buchipats program focused on maternal and infant nutrition, ensuring expectant mothers received proper medical care and support.

Driving Economic Growth and Livelihood Opportunities

Understanding the economic struggles of many Malabon residents, Oreta launched livelihood and employment programs that provided financial assistance to small businesses and struggling families through the Lingap Kabuhayan initiative. Job fairs, employment referrals, and reintegration programs for OFWs were also key pillars of his administration.

A standout innovation was the Malabon Tricycle Tours, a tourism-livelihood hybrid that promoted Malabon’s rich cultural and culinary heritage, while providing additional income for tricycle drivers. This project gained national recognition as a unique, grassroots-driven approach to local tourism.

To further support the community, Oreta launched social enterprises like Pandesal for Life and Pandeladies, empowering inmates and women entrepreneurs by producing freshly baked pandesal, which was sold through mobile vendors. This initiative not only provided livelihood opportunities but also promoted community food security.

Urban Development: Building a Resilient Malabon

Oreta spearheaded affordable housing projects, such as MRH, Malabon Homes, Marangal Village, L’Oasis, and St. Gregory Homes, giving informal settlers and government employees a chance at a better life. He also led major flood control initiatives, including drainage upgrades, pumping stations, and river wall reinforcements to protect vulnerable areas from flooding.

To enhance public spaces and safety, Oreta developed Multi-Purpose Buildings, Sports Complexes, and Super Health Centers. Additionally, he prioritized LED streetlight installations and road network improvements, boosting overall livability in Malabon.

Ensuring Safety, Sustainability, and Disaster Preparedness

Oreta’s leadership extended beyond infrastructure—he strengthened security measures, equipping law enforcement with new vehicles, surveillance tools, and crime prevention programs. His administration also championed environmental sustainability, implementing waste management improvements and public park rehabilitation.

In preparation for disasters, he established the Malabon Command Center, providing advanced rescue equipment and emergency training for the community, ensuring swift and coordinated disaster response efforts.

A Vision for Malabon’s Future

Now, as he sets his sights on a congressional seat, Lenlen Oreta pledges to bring his proactive, inclusive, and visionary leadership to the national level. His track record in education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and infrastructure development speaks volumes about his dedication to public service.

With the elections fast approaching, voters must decide: Will they continue the momentum of Oreta’s leadership and entrust him with the responsibility of representing Malabon on a larger stage? The choice is theirs—but his legacy already speaks for itself.

BIR wins 5.7 Billion Tax Evasion case against Illicit Cigarette ring; CTA to issue Warrants of Arrest

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. reports that the Department of Justice (DOJ) ruled in its favor, in relation to a Php 5.7 billion tax evasion case that it filed last February 7, 2025. After ruling in favor of the BIR, the DOJ filed two (2) criminal information before the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) last March 13, 2025. The case filed by the BIR with the DOJ came after a multi-city raid executed by the BIR and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) last November 6 and 7 in Valenzuela and Bulacan.

"The BIR won a Php 5.7 billion tax evasion case against five Chinese nationals linked to a large illicit cigarette operation. This case is part of our largest raid against illicit cigarettes last 2024. This win is a testament to our commitment to pursue every criminal involved in illicit cigarette trade. We will raid your warehouses. We will destroy all illicit cigarettes and machines. We will file cases against you. You will be arrested," Commissioner Lumagui stated. 

The total amount of tax liability in the said case is Php 5,764,761,450. Approximately 21,000 master cases of illicit cigarettes were seized during the operation. 

Recently, the BIR has also conducted a nationwide destruction of illicit cigarettes and unregistered machines from February 24, 2025 to March 5, 2025. A total of 10 days was needed to destroy 14.3 million packs of illicit cigarettes.