Marcos Jr. after Sara's moves: I entered race to run for president

Former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday said he would run for president in Eleksyon 2022 even after the recent political moves of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Sara on Wednesday withdrew her certificate of candidacy for reelection as mayor in 2022. She also resigned from Hugpong ng Pagbabago, the regional party she founded.

She joined the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) on Thursday as she took her oath in Cavite which led to speculations that she may run for president. 

Amid speculation that he and Sara would form a tandem for the top two elective posts, Marcos said he would continue with his presidential aspirations.

"Examine my situation, I have nowhere else to go. I cannot go anywhere. I will not change parties. I entered this race not to play any of these substitutions," Marcos told reporters at a chance interview in Cavite.

"I entered this because I thought I should run for president and that's what I'm doing," he added at the sidelines of a wedding he and Sara attended in Cavite when asked about the recent political moves of the presidential daughter.

Asked if he would  be paired with Sara, Marcos said, "This is Philippine politics, everything is possible. Even up to the last moment."

Marcos also said he is not surprised that there are speculations that Sara may become a substitute standard bearer to a political party.

"It's nothing new," he said.

As Sara joined Lakas-CMD, she is in a position to substitute either of Lakas' COC filers for president and vice president.

Under the Commission on Elections' calendar for the 2022 polls, substitution for a candidate in a national or local post can be filed from the end of the COC filing period until November 15, 2021. -Consuelo Marquez/NB, GMA News