By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains unfazed amid Vice President Sara Duterte’s announcement to run for president in 2028, Malacañang said, noting that the administration had already expected the development.
In a press briefing Thursday, Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro reiterated that the President still has no plans yet for the 2028 elections as he is focused on his key priorities, including boosting the economy, improving the lives of every Filipino, and addressing flood control issues.
“Hindi maaapektuhan. Maaapektuhan ba ng isang bise presidente, na nag-announce lamang siya na siya ay tatakbo, ang pagtatrabaho ng Pangulo? Kung ang iisipin lamang ng Pangulo natin ay ang mga sinasabi ng Bise Presidente, hindi na tatakbo ang gobyernong ito.
Hindi naman po kasindak-sindak yung pag-a-announce na siya ay tatakbo sa pagka-pangulo dahil ramdam na ramdam na po, even before, ang kaniyang pangangampanya sa labas,” she said.
On Sen. Robin Padilla’s suggestion for Sen. Imee Marcos to be Duterte’s running mate in 2028, Castro said, “Sila din po ang dating tinawag na ‘Team Itim.’ So, ngayon po, wala pong maaaring tugon at hindi pa po tumutugon o nagre-react ang Pangulo patungkol po diyan.”
The Palace official likewise emphasized that the President’s camp is still not inclined to court anybody as the administration’s standard-bearer for the 2028 polls.
Castro clarified her choice of attire after a reporter pointed out she was wearing pink—the signature color of former Vice President Leni Robredo, who was President Marcos Jr.’s primary rival in the 2022 elections. Robredo and Sen. Risa Hontiveros are being floated as the tandem to counter a possible Duterte-Imee team-up in 2028.
“Ang kulay na sinuot ko ngayon ay wala pong kaugnayan sa anumang politika. Wala pong anumang update kung nililigawan ang sinuman dahil ang sabi nga po natin kahapon po ay wala pa po sa isipan ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon na ito ang patungkol sa pamumulitika o humanap ng sinumang kandidato para sa 2028. Darating po ang panahon na iyan,” Castro stated.
“Sa ngayon po, ang tutok po ng Pangulo ay trabaho, ayan po, ayusin ang mga isyu patungkol sa baha at ang pag-angat po ng ekonomiya ng bansa… Sabi nga po natin—’Trabaho, trabaho, trabaho, hindi bakasyon’,” she added.
-jpv
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