IN a debate among four vice presidential candidates Monday, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said his family would abide by any decision of the courts that were hearing cases against them.
Marcos was responding to a question about human rights abuses during the Martial Law rule of his father, and President Benigno Aquino III’s attacks on him during the 30th anniversary of the People Power Revolution.
“I enjoyed the attention that the President was giving me,” Marcos said during the Go Negosyo: Meet the Vice Presidentiables Forum at the Manila Polo Club.
He also acknowledged that he dyed his hair.
“I don’t notice his hairdo, so I was surprised that the President noticed mine,” he said in Filipino.
Senator Francis Escudero said it was not appropriate for the President to make personal attacks during the Edsa People Power anniversary.
“Edsa people power is not for the Aquinos or for the Marcoses,” Escudero said, adding that he was saddened by Aquino’s remarks.
During the occasion, Aquino campaigned against Marcos, saying there was a possibility that the senator would follow in the footsteps of his late father.
He also blamed Marcos for the failure of the Senate to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
But Marcos said the law was local in character and had to be passed by the House of Representatives before the Senate could act on it.
He added that he was against the BBL because the government failed to consult other sectors, such as the Moro National Liberation Front, the lumad and the Christians.
But administration vice presidential candidate Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo said Aquino’s attacks were not personal.
If there were complaints about Martial Law, she said, they had to pursue them.
“That’s not personal,” she said.