Malacañang on Friday refused to issue a statement regarding former President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest remarks against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
"No comment here," Presidential Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez told Palace reporters when asked about Duterte’s tirades.
During the PDP-Laban proclamation rally on Thursday in San Juan City, Duterte criticized the current administration, saying it had "[fallen] short of expectations." However, he clarified that he would not compare his tenure to Marcos Jr.'s.
The former president also renewed his accusations regarding Marcos Jr.'s alleged drug use, claiming it would have long-term effects on his mental state.
"May isang presidente na talagang bangag. Hindi naman buang pero yung bisyo ng droga, talagang long-term iyan. Maging ulol si Marcos. Maybe constant use of heroin, aabot pa siguro otsiyenta, pero pagdating ng panahon na iyan, hindi na siya gumagalaw," Duterte said.
("There is a president who is truly high. Not crazy, but his drug habit is long-term. Marcos will lose his mind. Maybe with constant use of heroin, he could last until 80, but by then, he won't be able to move.")
Duterte also took a swipe at sitting Senators, suggesting that they be “killed” to make room for his party’s candidates.
“Now, there are many of them. What should we do? Let's kill the senators now to free up seats. If we can kill fifteen senators, then we'll all be in,” he said.
This is not the first time that Duterte has levelled accusations of drug use against Marcos Jr.
Duterte previously called the president bangag or "high" in January 2024.
He also claimed that Marcos was once on the watchlist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). The PDEA later denied the allegations.
Marcos later on responded by attributing the Davao stalwart's strong language to alleged fentanyl use.
“I think it’s the fentanyl. Fentanyl is the strongest pain killer that you can buy. It is highly addictive and it has very serious side effects, and PRRD has been taking the drug for a very long time now,” Marcos said, also urging Duterte’s physicians to take care of the him.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte endorsed PDP-Laban's senatorial candidates during the rally, backing a mix of re-electionists and new contenders.
"Iboto po natin sa darating na halalan ang ating mga re-electionist senators na sina Senators Bato Dela Rosa at Senator Christopher 'Bong' Go. Isama po natin sina Philip Salvador, Atty. Raul Lambino, Atty. Jesus 'Jayvee' Hinlo, Atty. Vic Rodriguez at Atty. Jimmy Bondoc," she said.
("Let us vote in the upcoming elections for our re-electionist senators, Senators Bato Dela Rosa and Christopher 'Bong' Go. Let’s also include Philip Salvador, Atty. Raul Lambino, Atty. Jesus 'Jayvee' Hinlo, Atty. Vic Rodriguez, and Atty. Jimmy Bondoc.")
The Vice President also threw her support behind two other key figures in the party.
"At syempre po, ang ating matibay na partner sa kongreso na si Sagip Partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta at si Pastor Apollo Quiboloy ng Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC)," Duterte added.
("And of course, our strong partners in Congress — Sagip Partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta and Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.")