The Palace on Friday said the meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. can’t be interpreted as an endorsement.
“A meeting was just arranged and they met. But there is no endorsement insofar as Malacanang is concerned,” said Communications Undersecretary Michel Kristian Ablan.
The meeting between Duterte and Marcos came a few days before the PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi endorsed the former senator’s presidential bid.
“The President has not endorsed any candidate,” Ablan said.
The Palace official also said that President Duterte will not attend any proclamation rally of local candidates.
Meanwhile, acting presidential spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said it is “unclear” if the PDP-Laban’s decision to support Marcos’ candidacy has Duterte’s backing.
Earlier this week, Senator Christopher Go said Duterte met with Marcos at the Palace on March 20 and shared his experiences as the country’s chief executive.
Go described it as a long talk as the President was in high spirits.
“In fact, in 80 percent of the discussions, it was the President talking,” Go said.
The former presidential aide also said Duterte gave Marcos, the frontrunner in all pre-election survey results, some advice and expressed his desire to see his projects continued by the next president.
Go would not say if this meant that Duterte would endorse Marcos, whom he once described as “spoiled” and a “weak leader.”
“Let us just wait if the President will have an announcement on this,” said Go, adding that he cannot speak on behalf of the President regarding this issue.
He said the Malacanang meeting was arranged by the leaders of the PDP-Laban wing led by Cusi.