Senators Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Alan Peter Cayetano continue to butt heads several times during Sunday’s debate of those vying for the second highest position in the land.
During the vice presidential debate held at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Marcos said that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has promised him the presidency should he fail to deliver on his promise of stamping out criminality in the country in 6 months.
“Sinabi ni Mayor Digong na kapag hindi nalutas ang problema ng krimen in three to six months, ibibigay niya ang pagka-presidente kay Bongbong. Hindi niya sinabi na ibibigay niya kay Senator Alan,” Marcos said, much to the applause of audience members.
(Mayor Digong [Duterte] has said that if he does not stamp out crime in three to six months, he would give the presidency to Bongbong. He did not say that he would give it to Senator Alan)
The senator said the tough-talking mayor issued that promise because he might be dismayed in Cayetano’s failure to curb criminality in Taguig City.
“Palagay ko dahil sa record ng Taguig na hindi nalutas ang problema. Ngunit nakita niya ang aking kakayahan dahil sa problema ng peace and order sa Mindanao ay meron tayong maibibigay na substitute bill na magbibigay kapayapaan sa Mindanao,” Marcos said.
(I think [Duterte said this] because of the record of Taguig of not solving the problem. But he has seen my capabilities because in the peace and order problem in Mindanao, I would be able to provide a substitute bill that would bring peace to Mindanao.)
However, Cayetano downplayed Marcos’ statement, saying that Duterte made that remark in jest.
“Sinabi ni Mayor Digong kaharap yung mga Ilokano mayors. He was being playful. Pero ang sinabi niya all over the country, ‘pag hindi mo binoto si Alan, huwag mo akong iboboto’,” he said.
(Mayor Digong said that in from of the Ilocano mayors. He was being playful. But what he said all over the country, ‘if you won’t vote for Alan, then don’t bother voting for me’.)
Duterte’s running-mate also told his supporters that while they may not vote for him, they should always back the Davao mayor for his presidential bid.
“Ako kahit hindi niyo ako iboto, 100 percent Duterte…Huwag niyo na lang akong gawing presidente. Alalay lang ako ni Duterte,” Cayetano said.
(Even if you don’t vote for me, 100 percent [go for] Duterte…Don’t make me a president. I will just be there to assist Duterte.) CDG
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