Marcos on 3 Dutertes seeking Senate seats in Eleksyon 2025: It's a free country

''It's a free country. They're allowed to do whatever they want.''

This was the response of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. when asked for reaction on the supposed plan of former President Rodrigo Duterte and his two sons, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte, to seek Senate seats in 2025. 

According to Marcos, it is still early to determine who will really run in the coming midterm polls. 

''The only real situation will become clear in October, sa filing,'' Marcos said in an ambush interview, referring to the filing of certificates of candidacy for those running in the 2025 elections. 

''Then we will see really kung tatakbo ba talaga, sino ba talaga tatakbo, sino, kanino sasama, which parties are involved, which parties are in alliance, doon lang natin makikita sa Oktubre. So all of these announcements, tignan natin kung matutuloy pagdating sa Oktubre,'' he added. 

Some members of the Duterte family have become critics of the administration, with Baste even calling for Marcos' resignation. Former President Duterte, meanwhile, has accused Marcos of being a drug user.

It was Vice President Sara Duterte who disclosed the plan of his father and brothers in next year's elections. She also announced that Baste will be running for president in the 2028 national and local elections.

Sara, meanwhile, said her mother has advised her to go back to Davao City to run again as mayor.

Former presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, who served under the elder Duterte's term, said three Dutertes running in 2025 is ''a political storm that their detractors and those undeservingly clinging to power will not be able to contain and survive.''

''The Dutertes will be the demolition team that will dismantle the vested political structures built by those who turned their backs on the people’s welfare and interest and who focused on enriching themselves in office and transgressing the constitutional rights of individuals and entities,'' Panelo said in an earlier statement.

Panelo said the supporters of former President Duterte ''have been buoyed up and resurrected their dead hopes of having another Duterte presidency.'' —KBK, GMA Integrated News