The defunct Marcos-Sara Duterte Alliance (MASADA) has regrouped, this time urging Vice President Sara Duterte to run for president in the 2028 election. The group believes this could be her stepping stone to becoming the “Golda Meir of the Philippines” due to her Jewish ancestry, organizers announced on Friday.
Benito Ranque, MASADA national convenor, told the DAILY TRIBUNE in an interview that the impeachment case filed against the Vice President has sealed the Marcos-Duterte alliance. The group has decided to revert to its original political agenda, which is to support Vice President Sara Duterte’s presidential bid in the 2028 election.
“No more Marcos alliance. MASADA is back in action in its original form to carry out a nationwide movement seeking support to get a nod from Inday Sara to run in the coming 2028 election. We foresee the rise of Inday Sara as the ‘Golda Meir of the Philippines’ if she becomes the next president of the country,” Ranque said.
He said MASADA, which refers to an ancient Jewish fortress that defied the Roman invasion, will adopt what they call an “Israeli strategy” once Inday Sara decides to join the next presidential race.
Ranque said that with her Jewish ancestry and strong political will, Vice President Sara Duterte has the qualities to become the Golda Meir of the Philippines.
The grandfather of Sara Duterte, the father of her mother Elizabeth Zimmerman, was a German Jew who obtained a visa to the Philippines along with approximately 1,300 European Jews before World War II.
The late Golda Meir was an Israeli politician who helped found the state of Israel and later served as its fourth prime minister.
She was dubbed the “Iron Lady of the Jewish State.”
The MASADA acronym refers to an ancient Israeli fortress that defied the might of the Roman invaders. MASADA defenders chose to commit suicide rather than surrender, thereby denying the Roman legions their victory.