Marcos thanks Duterte for ‘faith in his abilities’
FORMER Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., expressed his gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for having faith in his abilities and seeing him as one of the better qualified leaders to succeed him.
Marcos, who has a pending election protest against Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, however, said that he would rather see the President remain in his post as leader of the country.
“I thank the President for his faith in my abilities,” Marcos said in a statement after Duterte said that he was ready to step down as Chief Executive if Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero or Marcos would succeed him.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday clarified that the President was only expressing his frustration over the widespread corruption in government and that his intention to relinquish his post if a better, more qualified leader would take over.
“If [Marcos] becomes vice president, perhaps the President will make true his word that he will step down,” Roque said, adding that the President does not want Robredo to succeed him because she may not be qualified for the post.
Marcos said it would be better if Duterte would not leave because the Filipino people still needed him.
“I urge him (Duterte) not to leave the Presidency as our people still need him for the betterment of our lives and our country,” Marcos said.
The former senator was running mate of the late Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago during the 2016 presidential election while Duterte ran with then Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.
Duterte, however, has never mentioned Cayetano as his possible successor in any of his previous speeches.
Cayetano in a previous interview, said that Duterte just wanted to assure the public that he has no intention to cling to power and that he was prepared to step down if there was a better leader.
“He (Duterte) was just making a proclamation to everyone that he not going to hang on to power,” Cayetano said.
Duterte’s statement, according to Cayetano, also showed that he has faith in other people and that there were others who could lead the country.
“With 100 million Filipinos it is impossible that we can only have one person who can lead us,” he said. JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA
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