Marcos Jr. sets as top priority digital infra, energy alongside Build, Build, Build program

Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Saturday that he will prioritize the development of digital infrastructure alongside continuing the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Naging malaking bahagi ang internet sa buhay natin. Kailangan natin pagandahin ang digital infrastructure. 'Yun ang pinakauna na kailangan tugunan,” Marcos Jr. said during dzBB’s "Ikaw Na Ba? Presidential Interviews."

(Internet has become a huge part of our lives so we have to improve our digital infrastructure. That is the first thing we have to address.)

Likewise, the former senator said his post-pandemic jobs creation plan will continue the Build, Build, Build (BBB) program of Duterte “at dagdagan pa natin ng tinatawag na digital infrastructure" (and add to that digital infrastructure.)

Apart from infrastructure, Marcos Jr. said another problem that needs to be addressed is the energy sector.

“Kapag hindi sapat ang supply ng kuryente ay hindi talaga lalaki ang ekonomiya” (If the power supply is not enough, the economy cannot expand), he said.

He said he would expand the development of hydroelectric and other renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal.

Moreover, he said the country can develop oil-fired, as well as nuclear power plants to replace coal-fired ones.

Continue diplomatic engagement with China

On the issue of the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea, Marcos Jr. said that since the country cannot go to war against the Asian superpower, if elected president, he will continue the Duterte administration’s approach of continued diplomatic engagements.

“That is the general policy that we treat everyone as friends and hopefully allies… that’s why ‘yung pag-uusap, engagement pagtrato ng may diplomasya kailangan natin ipagpatuloy ‘yan,” he said.

“Wala na tayong magagawa dahil ang arbitration accord hindi tinatanggap ng China”(We can't anything because China has refused to recognize the international arbitral ruling favoring Philippines' claims in the disputed sea), he added.

“Tama ‘yung engagement approach ni Pangulong Duterte” (Duterte's approach to the problem is correct). 

Marcos Jr. expects that continuous engagement with China will eventually resolve issues between the two countries.

Oxford diploma

During the interview, the former senator maintained that he graduated from the University of Oxford.

“Well, naipakita ko na ang diploma ko. It’s a degree course. So, nag-graduate ako (I graduated) sa Oxford,” Marcos Jr. said.

Earlier his chief of staff Atty. Victor Rodriguez said that Marcos Jr.’s camp stands by the degree confirmation, which was issued by the University of Oxford.

“It is up to anyone to question or challenge this with the said university if they so please,” Rodriguez said.

The Marcos camp issued the statement after Oxford Philippines Society, a group of Filipino students and alumni of the prestigious learning institution, expressed concern over what it called "continuing misinformation" regarding the former senator's academic achievements.  —LBG,GMA News