Marcos Jr. says ‘weak leader’ remark by Duterte ‘just plain politics’

Presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Tuesday that President Rodrigo Duterte's earlier remarks calling him a “weak leader” was just plain politics.

Duterte in November 2021 called Marcos "a weak leader" as he ruled out a coalition with his daughter Sara's Lakas-CMD.

“I think it was plain politics. I think one of the things we have learned about PRRD is he likes to keep everyone on their toes,” Marcos said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

“He’s making sure everybody is thinking hard about what they’re doing. And I think that was one of those instances,” he added.

In March, the PDP-Laban faction under Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi formally endorsed the presidential bid of Marcos Jr. in Eleksyon 2022.

The president, however, repeatedly said that he is not endorsing any presidential candidate in May 9 polls.

But on one occasion, Duterte said it is up to voters to choose which Ilocano would lead the country after his term ends in a few months.

Sara earlier said she is hoping to have the support of her father for her tandem Marcos Jr. But she added she respects her father's decision not to endorse any presidential bet.—LDF, GMA News