Former first lady Imelda Marcos and Ferdinand Marcos Jr.. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS)
MANILA, Philippines — Though he consulted his mother about his presidential bid, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said it was ultimately his own decision to run.
Still, his mother — former first lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos — is the “supreme politician in the family,” he said in an interview with CNN Philippines that aired on Tuesday.
“Even my father I don’t think would object if I say she’s the supreme politician in the family. My father is the statesman. He’s the political genius,” Marcos said of his late namesake, who was president from 1965 to 1986.
“My mother is really a politician. You can see that,” Marcos Jr. said, speaking in a mix of English and Filipino. “My mother can connect with anyone — from her classmate from… I don’t know how many years ago… to the person working in the palengke [wet market] to the Queen of England. Everyone becomes her friend.”
“I can say that I learn something new every time I talk to my mother, especially in a serious talk about politics. I always learn something new. So, yes, she has always had a very big influence on everything,” he said.
He related how he consulted his mother about his candidacy.
“We did not have a meeting,” he said. “It’s just every so often: ‘Mom, what if? What’s your opinion? What do you think? How do you read the situation?’ She’s really good… She’s seen it all before,” Marcos said.
“So, yes, she’s very very involved in everything that we are doing, but the decision was mine. I really have to say that the decision was mine. Of course, I consulted everyone whose opinion I value,” he added.
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