Bongbong wants Digong to stay

While flattered being one of the choices of President Duterte for his successor, former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. yesterday urged the Chief Executive to continue serving the Filipino people for the country.

“I thank the President for his faith in my abilities,” Marcos said in broadcast interview

“But I urge him not to leave the Presidency as our people still need him for the betterment of our lives and country,” he added.

Marcos issued the statement after Mr. Duterte on Tuesday said he is ready to step down only if the likes of Marcos and Sen. Francis Escudero will succeed him in office.

On Thursday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte may turn over the reins of government to Marcos if the former lawmaker succeeds in his bid to unseat Vice President Leni Robredo.

Marcos, son of the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr., is challenging Robredo’s victory in the 2016 vice presidential race before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET).

For her part, Robredo just shrugged off Duterte’s statement.

“I don’t want to comment on such statements because it does not help,” Robredo said.

“The country has so much problems. Let’s just attend to the problems instead of politicking,” she added.

Robredo’s election lawyer, Romulo Macalintal, said Duterte is unlikely to resign as the vice president’s camp is confident Marcos will not win his electoral protest.