Bongbong Marcos camp sees no conflict with Pres. Duterte

President Rodrigo Duterte and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS)

MANILA, Philippines — Even after President Rodrigo Duterte once called presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. a “weak leader”, the latter’s camp on Wednesday stressed there is no conflict or problem between the two.

“Walang pinag-awayan, walang diperensya si PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) at si presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos,” Atty. Vic Rodriguez, Marcos’ spokesperson, said in an interview on ABS-CBN News.

Rodriguez acknowledged that it is “important” to get Duterte’s endorsement especially as the chief executive continues to enjoy high approval ratings among Filipinos based on latest surveys.

Asked if the Marcos camp was still courting Duterte for his endorsement, Rodriguez replied: “I think courting is an understatement. We have Mayor Sara Duterte, the daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte with us.”

“To be candid with you, importante din naman at mahalaga kung makukuha namin yung endorsement ni Pangulong Duterte sapagkat as we know, napakataas pa rin ng kanyang approval rating dahil nagtrabaho si [President Duterte] nitong nakaraang anim na taon,” he added.

In a speech in November 2021, Duterte said he does not believe in Marcos’ capabilities, and described the former senator a “weak leader.”

“Hindi ako bilib (I’m not impressed.) . He is a weak leader. Totoo yan, di ako naninira ng tao. Talagang weak kasi spoiled child, only son (It’s true, I’m not degrading anybody. He’s just a weak and spoiled child, the only son of the family),” Duterte said.

Duterte even endorsed the presidential bid of Senator Bong Go even as Marcos’ running mate is the president’s own daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Go, however, later withdrew his presidential bid.

Nonetheless, Rodriguez said that the Marcos camp respects that there are “processes the president needs to make” such as consultation with the chief executive’s party, PDP-Laban.

“Meron lang talagang proseso. Kami ay nabibilang sa Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, si Pangulo naman ay napapabilang sa PDDS (Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan) at nandiyan pa rin naman ang kanyang core group sa PDP-Laban,” Rodriguez said.

“Kailangan lang siguro mapag-usapan kung ano yung commonality of ideas and principles kung maaaring magsama at then eventually the President will make his own decision later on kung sino ang kanyang napupusuang i-endorso,” he added.

In his Talk to the People briefing on Monday, Duterte said he was not supporting any presidential candidate “at this time.” 

He said he is not supporting anybody “unless there is a compelling reason really for me to change my mind and decide to support a candidate.”

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