Sen. Imee Marcos in one of the Senate virtual hearings. Screen grab / Senate PRIB file photo
MANILA, Philippines — The camp of presidential aspirant former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is eyeing bets with bailiwicks in Visayas and Mindanao as his vice presidential candidate, including fellow presidential bet Senator Manny Pacquiao.
This was according to the former senator’s sister, Senator Imee Marcos, who said that her brother is still looking for a running mate.
“Very obvious naman yung preference namin, sinasabing may ‘Solid North,’ mas malakas kami sa norte. Si Bongbong may [National Capital Region] din, malakas din naman kahit paano. Tapos Region 8. Pero medyo takot sa Mindanao, medyo bulag kami doon,” Sen. Marcos said in Teleradyo interview Wednesday.
(Our preference is very obvious, we have the so-called “Solid North.” We’re strong in the north. Bongbong is also strong in the National Capital Region in one way or another as well as Region 8. But we are a bit scared when it comes to Mindanao.)
“So naturally we’re tending towards the Mindanao and VisMin candidates,” she added.
(So naturally we’re tending towards the Mindanao and VisMin candidates.)
Bongbong-Pacquiao?
Sen. Marcos also said they are considering Pacquiao to be her brother’s running mate should the boxer-turned-politician is willing to slide down to a vice presidential bid.
Pacquiao is running for president with House Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza as his running mate.
“There’s also the option…we also like the idea, syempre taga-Mindanao din, kung magi-slide naman si Sen. Pacquiao. Taga-Mindanao din ‘yan, super popular din at kaibigan naman natin yan kahit na may pitik pitik lately,” Sen. Marcos said.
(There’s also the option…we also like the idea, of course he’s from Mindanao, if Sen. Pacquiao will slide down. He’s from Mindanao, he’s super popular and we are friends even though there’s been a slight attack lately.)
“Di na kami balat sibuyas pag medyo may bumibira, alam mo naman sa kasagsagan sa init ng halalan, OK lang,” she added.
(We are not thin-skinned, we know it’s because of the elections, it’s OK.)
The senator did not elaborate on this but it can be recalled that Pacquiao earlier said the Marcos family should return their “ill-gotten wealth” and apologize for abuses during the Marcos regime.
Aside from ensuring votes in the South, Sen. Marcos said her brother is looking for a running mate he can get along with well.
“Si Bongbong, naghahanap ng ka-tandem na bagay sa kanya, yung kasundo niyang katrabaho kasi kahit papaano di ba dapat may tiwala ka, tapos bagay kayo at nagkakaintindihan kayo ng maigi,” she said.
(Bongbong is looking for a running mate that goes well with him, who he can go along with and trust.)
“Hindi lang naman boto boto yan e. Kailangan kaibigan mo rin to a certain degree,” she added.
(It’s not all about the votes. He needs someone he also considers a friend to a certain degree.)