2022 ELECTION: Duterte did not endorse Bongbong Marcos in Ilocos speech

ANDANAR: President not endorsing any presidential candidate

Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jnr, former senator and son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, gestures during a press conference in Manila on October 5, 2017. The son and namesake of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared on October 5 he was confident of ousting the current vice president in a legal challenge, which would place him a heartbeat away from leading his country. / AFP PHOTO / Noel CELIS

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is not endorsing any presidential candidate, Malacañang reiterated Tuesday.

Acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar made this remark after Duterte, in a recent event in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, told the Ilocano crowd to choose the Ilocano leader they favor.

Citing Duterte, Andanar said the President will not support any presidential candidate but may change his mind if there is a “compelling reason” to do so.

“The President has repeatedly said that he does not support any presidential candidate unless there is a compelling reason at kung maalala niyo po dun sa interview na ginawa natin (and if you remember in our interview) with the President, he clearly said he may or may not,” he said in a Palace press briefing.

Andanar, who is also Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), said it is best to wait for the President to make a final decision on whether or not he would endorse any presidential candidate. Read More

No Favor Nor Fear