President Rodrigo Duterte. Screengrab from PCOO / Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — As the May 9 elections approach, the Palace said Thursday it cannot second guess whether President Rodrigo Duterte will name candidates involved in the illegal drug trade.
“On whether the Chief Executive would release candidates involved in illegal drug trade, we cannot second guess the President in this regard,” said acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar.
In November last year, Duterte’s ally Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said the President will soon reveal the identity of a presidential bet who uses cocaine.
Duterte claimed that the said presidential bet who uses cocaine comes from a well-known and rich clan and is known for its patriarch.
Andanar likewise said the President will support the hopefuls “he believes will continue his platform of government and the reforms he initiated.”
To date, Duterte has endorsed the vice presidential bid of his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and of several others who seeking Senate seats.
Duterte however insists neutrality when it came to his successor despite the endorsement of his party, the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipno – Lakas ng Bayan, of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.