Adviser urges Duterte: Endorse Marcos, he is the best to protect you

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential adviser for political affairs Jacinto Paras on Wednesday called on President Rodrigo Duterte to endorse the presidential candidacy of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. because the latter would be the “best to protect” him against supposedly trumped up charges when he steps down from office.

Paras called on Duterte to join his party PDP-Laban in endorsing Marcos, saying that the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. is a “very loyal friend” and it would benefit the President to have a friend and ally as his successor.

“I believe that Marcos is a very loyal friend. I would certainly believe that Marcos would remain loyal to the President even if he becomes President,” Paras said in a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

“Historically, pagkatapos ng isang election at nagpalit na ng Pangulo, ‘yung dating Pangulo, maraming trumped up charges against him. After the President gives his office, I’m sure a lot of his enemies would come up with trumped up charges, especially they will try to push the ICC [International Criminal Court] cases,” he said.

“The President needs allies, especially from the new administration, I certainly believe that among the candidates, Bongbong Marcos would be the best who would be able to protect him,” Paras continued.

Paras said Duterte will be able to “sleep well” under the administration of a “good friend and a loyal president, rather than being haunted by enemies.”

He said that if Duterte’s “enemies” win, they would “create a mob that will demand that the President will be sent to the ICC.”

Paras specifically cited as example presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo, claiming that she is supported by the “leftists and the Reds” and known opposition members including incumbent Senator Risa Hontiveros and former Senator Trillanes.

“It would be better if ang magiging Pangulo ay kakampi or kaibigan, that would lessen the burden of defending a trumped up case, which will ripen into something if the new President is an enemy. That’s bound to happen if we will not support Bongbong Marcos,” Paras said.

“I appeal to the President, as a political adviser, it’s about time, probably this is already the compelling reason that he shall finally endorse someone in the person of Marcos as presidential candidate,” he said.

Duterte’s PDP-Laban has endorsed the candidacy of Marcos, saying that the candidate’s platform is the “most aligned with the development program of the President.”

READ: Cusi-led PDP-Laban wing endorses Bongbong Marcos for president

The group also adopted Marcos’ running mate, presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as its vice presidential candidate in the May 9 elections.

Paras is a member of the LAKAS CMD, the political party of Duterte-Carpio and former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

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