By Alec Go
President Rodrigo Duterte has not yet endorsed any presidential candidate for the upcoming elections, Malacañang said Friday (March 25), following the recent meeting between Duterte and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
On Thursday, Communications Secretary and Acting Presidential Spokesperson Martin Andanar confirmed that the President recently met with the aspiring presidentiable, where Duterte gave pieces of advice and shared his experience as Chief Executive.
“Whether or not this can be interpreted as an endorsement, of course, the President has not endorsed any candidate,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Michel Kristian Ablan said in a Palace briefing.
“A meeting was just arranged and they met — President Duterte and [former] Senator Marcos. There is no endorsement as far as Malacañang is concerned,” he added.
Asked whether the President will be attending rallies as the campaign period for local positions begin, Ablan said “there is no schedule for the President to attend any proclamation rally today.”
Duterte previously reiterated in his recent speeches that he is not endorsing any candidate unless “there is a compelling reason” for him to do so.
Meanwhile, Malacañang urged the public and campaign activity attendees to observe minimum public health standards, especially physical distancing, and to comply with the guidelines of the Commission on Elections.
“The Palace reminds the Filipino people that vote buying and vote selling are prohibited acts under the Omnibus Election Code,” he said. “Anyone found guilty of these prohibited acts under the Omnibus Election Code face penalties of imprisonment and fine.”
During the same briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reminded election candidates anew that the threat of COVID-19 has not yet been eliminated, while citing the resurgence of COVID-19 cases abroad.
“Sana po tayo ay maging ehemplo ng ating mga kababayan. Tayo ang manguna at magpakita sa kanila na tumutupad tayo sa minimum public health standards at tayo ay bakunado,” she said.
The Department of Health said cases in the country dropped by 15% compared with last week’s figures, and that the average daily case count declined to 454 lower than the average in December before the Omicron surge. -rir
