Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is worried about his disqualification case and acknowledged the possibility that his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte could become president if the petition against him is granted.
In a recorded interview with TV host Korina Sanchez aired on Saturday, Marcos was asked whether it was possible that President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter would become president if they both win and he was subsequently disqualified.
“Yes. If I am disqualified,” he replied.
Marcos admitted feeling threatened by the disqualification case against him but said he would not let this derail his plans.
“Of course. I take everything seriously. I worry about everything. But I do not let it distract me from the campaign,” he said.
The former senator recorded the interview with Sanchez on the same day that the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas interviewed five other presidential candidates — labor leader Leody de Guzman, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Vice President Leni Robredo.
The Commission on Elections has yet to rule on the petition to disqualify Marcos Jr. on grounds that he was perpetually banned for public office after his conviction on tax charges.
Out for vindication?
Recently retired Election Commissioner Rowena Guazon had accused fellow Commissioner Aimee Ferolino of delaying the resolution of the case so that her vote against Marcos Jr. would no longer be counted.
The son and namesake of the late dictator brushed aside the contention that he was running for president more to vindicate his family’s name than for patriotic reasons.
This issue has always confused him, Marcos said.
“How does anybody vindicate somebody? Even if all that I do is good, it will not change what my father did,” he said.
Marcos also said he would not do exactly the same things his father did, and would just adopt certain concepts, such as vertical integration of the entire agricultural system.
“I would copy that concept, we’ll do it a different way,” he said.
As for what his wife Liza’s role would be as his first lady, Marcos noted that she stopped practicing law and turned to teaching when he became governor.
“I think maybe she will do something like that,” he said.
She had also provided free legal services in Ilocos Norte, he said.
READ: ‘Not yet the end’: Lawyer says Marcos Jr’s DQ cases to traverse lengthy process