Palace clams up on Duterte's 'cocaine user' allusion

Malacañang on Friday refused to name the presidential aspirant being alluded to by President Duterte as a cocaine user.

"We will leave to the sound judgement of the President ... kung  kelan siya pangalanan (Disclosing the name is up the President, if ever he decides to do so)," acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said.

Pressed on whether the President has tasked authorities to go after the said presidential aspirant over illegal drug use, Nograles said that authorities know their job.

"Our law enforcement agencies know their mandate. Walang pinipili, regardless of social status. Lahat po 'yan, basta lumabag sa batas," Nograles said.

(Authorities know their job with respect to those who violate the law, regardless of social status.) 

Earlier, the President claimed that the presidential candidate who uses cocaine largely relies on the name of his father and that the aspirant has no accomplishment under his name. 

"Nagtataka ako sa Pilipino. 'Di ako naiinggit, pulitika naman, may manalo, may matalo. Ganu'n rin ako noon, kung walang suwerte, wala. Pero itong fascination nila sa itong kandidato na ito, baka hindi talaga nila alam," Duterte said.

(I am puzzled with Filipinos. I am not jealous. In politics, some will win, some will lose. I was also like that, if not due to luck, I would not have won. But their fascination with this candidate, maybe it's because they are not aware.)

"Inyo 'yan. Ang akin lang, pagdating ng panahon... Basta sinabi ko sa inyo. And he is a very weak ang character niyan. Except for the name. Ang tatay. Pero siya? Anong ginawa niya? He might win hands down, okay. If that's what the Filipino wants, go ahead. Basta alam ninyo," Duterte added.

(That is up to you. In my opinion, as time passes... Anyway, I told you. And his character is very week. Except for the name of the father. But him? What has he done? He might win hands down, okay. If that's what the Filipino wants, go ahead. But as long as you know [what is happening].)

President Duterte's daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, is running for vice president in the 2022 polls. Her running mate is presidential aspirant and former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr., the son of the late dictator.

Bongbong Marcos's camp said they don't feel being alluded to. —LBG/KG, GMA News