Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte seems to be open to the idea of stepping down from the presidency, but only if Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. wins his poll protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in the presidential palace Malacañang earlier today that Duterte thinks Marcos is qualified to succeed him.
“He thinks Senator Bongbong Marcos is one of the better-qualified persons to succeed,” Roque said in a press briefing, as reported by Rappler.
“If there are developments and he wins the protest and he becomes vice president, yes, he (Duterte) will make true his word.”
On Tuesday, the 73-year-old president lamented how “tired” he was of the rampant corruption in the government and the illegal drug trade in the Philippines.
However, he said that he would only resign from his position, which is due to end in 2022, if there was someone better-qualified to lead the country than him, hinting the likes of Marcos and Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
Under the 1987 constitution, the vice president will take over the presidency should the position become vacant, like if the president resigns.
Marcos, who ran for vice president in 2016, has accused Vice President Robredo of cheating in the elections. A recount has been ongoing since April.
Duterte is a known ally of the Marcos family. In 2016, he allowed the secret burial of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery), which many Filipinos protested against.
Duterte’s administration has also sought to abolish the Presidential Commission on Good Government, an agency with a duty to recover the Marcos’ ill-gotten wealth.
The Marcos family allegedly plundered up to PHP534billion ($10billion) from state coffers which put the Philippines into crippling debt during Marcos’ rule.
Reader Interactions