Malacañang on Thursday, March 23, confirmed that President Duterte recently met with presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar made the statement as Duterte’s party, PDP-Laban, earlier endorsed the candidacy of the late dictator’s son.

“It was a cordial and productive meeting, where the President shared his experiences and insights as an outgoing Chief Executive with the presidential aspirant,” Andanar said.

According to Andanar, Duterte also discussed the government’s major achievements and even gave Marcos advice during the meeting.

“The President expressed optimism that his administration’s notable programs and projects will be continued by the next administration,” he added.

This was also confirmed by Duterte’s longtime aide Senator Christopher “Bong” Go also on Thursday and revealed that the meeting was made over the weekend, prior to PDP-Laban’s announcement.

Go said it was a private meeting only between Duterte and Marcos which was arranged by the party leaders.

However, both Andanar and Go said they had no clue whether Duterte is personally supporting Marcos’ candidacy despite the endorsement from PDP-Laban.

“Ito ay malinaw na desisyon ng partido, pero hindi malinaw kung ito rin ang gusto ni Pangulong Duterte (This is a clear decision of the party but it is not clear if this is also what President Duterte wants),” Andanar said last Tuesday, March 22.

Duterte sits as the party chairman of a PDP-Laban faction led by Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

The PDP-Laban, a party founded to fight the Marcos dictatorship, is divided into two factions—one led by Cusi and the other led by Senator Manny Pacquiao who is also running for president.

Since the start of the campaign season, Duterte has remained firm in his stance not to endorse any presidential candidate for the May 2022 polls, adding that he prefers to “stay neutral.”

He has adopted a hands-off stance even as his daughter, vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, is running with Marcos who he called “spoiled” and a “weak leader.”

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by lexandria Dennise San Juan

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