Despite his recent meeting with presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marocs,Jr., President Rodrigo R. Duterte has yet to endorse the presidential bid of the former senator.
In a brief statement issued last Thursday, Acting Presidential spokesperson Martin M. Andanar confirmed the meeting.
“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.
This was the second time Duterte met with a candidate running for president in the 2022 polls after senator Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao last November.
Reason for endorsement
During his talk with Marcos, Duterte discussed the current government’s major achievements, which he is confident will be continued by the next administration, according to Andanar.
Likewise, he also gave pieces of advice to Marcos.
In a separate statement, Senator Christopher “Bong” T. Go said the meeting was among the factors, why the Cusi-wing of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) endorsed Marcos last Tuesday.
“This is likely one of the reasons [for the endorsement], but this went through consultation and process [within the party],” Go said.
Both Andanar and Go, have yet as of press time to reply to the question if Duterte is now officially backing the candidacy of Marcos, who is the running of his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Resolution deadline
In a related development, the Commission on Election (Comelec) also announced it is eyeing to resolve the pending disqualification cases against Marcos by next month.
During a press conference last Thursday, Comelec Commissioner George M. Garcia said Comelec Chairman Saidamen B. Pangarungan instructed the respective ponente of the affected cases to fast-track the release of their resolution.
“Therefore the decision on these consolidated cases as well as the cases with motion for reconsideration will be decided by the election but even earlier before the month of April. Maybe it will be the second week of April, the lastest will be the third week of April,” Garcia said.
He also said Pangarungan also wants the leadership dispute of PDP-Laban to be resolved by April.
The poll official said this will allow the losing parties to appeal their case before the courts.