By Alec Go
President Rodrigo Duterte called presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. a “weak leader” and a “spoiled child” in a pre-recorded speech in Mindoro on Thursday (Nov. 18).
During his meeting with Oriental Mindoro local leaders in Calapan, he was asked whether the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) will form a coalition with Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD).
“No. No, I cannot — because nandiyan si Marcos eh. Hindi ako bilib sa kanya. He is really a weak leader… Totoo ‘yan, hindi ako naninira ng tao. Talagang weak, kasi spoiled child, only son,” Duterte said.
“Of course he can talk, he delivers English, ma-articulate… Pero sabihin mo may crisis ganoon, he’s a weak leader, at saka may bagahe siya. ‘Yan sinasabi ko sa inyo, totoo ‘yan,” he added.
This was after presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio joined Lakas-CMD for her vice presidential bid and later accepted the chairmanship of the party. She will be running with Marcos Jr. in the 2022 national elections.
In a separate live speech on Thursday, Duterte said a presidential aspirant is into the use of cocaine. The person’s name was not revealed, but his character was described as a “a very weak leader.”
Read more: ‘There’s a presidential aspirant who used cocaine’: Duterte
This was mentioned anew in his pre-recorded speech aired Nov. 19, as he questioned the public’s fascination with the candidate.
“I cannot mention his name kasi wala man ako doon, but as a mayor alam ko na ‘yung mga mayaman sa Davao, pati ‘yan siya, humihirit ng cocaine,” he said.
No sacred cows
Malacañang said in its Nov. 19 briefing that it will be up to the older Duterte’s discretion whether or not he will name the candidate.
Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Sec. Karlo Nograles noted that Duterte has access to “many sources, including intel reports,” and assured nobody will be spared from prosecution.
“Whatever social status at kung sino man ang may nakukuhang intel reports, alam na ng ating mga law enforcement agencies kung anong dapat gawin,” he said. – jlo
