President Rodrigo Duterte, who has yet to endorse a presidential bet in the 2022 elections, has met with former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to share his “insights” as outgoing chief executive, the Palace said.
Acting Palace spokesman Martin Andanar, who confirmed the meeting, did not state whether the meeting meant Duterte would support Marcos’ presidential bid.
“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.
“President Duterte likewise discussed the current government’s major achievements and gave pieces of advice to Mr. Marcos. In connection with this, the president expressed optimism that his administration’s notable programs and projects will be continued by the next administration,” he added.
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi’s faction of PDP-Laban, the political party chaired by Duterte, earlier backed the candidacy of the late dictator’s son for president in 2022.
In November 2021, Duterte called Marcos a “weak leader.”
“Hindi ako bilib sa kanya. He is really a weak leader,” Duterte said.
“Talagang weak kasi spoiled child, only son. He can talk, he delivers English pero sabihin mo may crisis ganun, he’s a weak leader at saka may bagahe siya,” he added.
Duterte had said that he wanted a lawyer to succeed him as president.
Marcos is the running-mate of the president’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. John Ezekiel J. Hirro