Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 17) — Rep. Mike Defensor, who is running in the Quezon City mayoral race, is urging Malacañang to provide close in protection security personnel for presidential frontrunner Bongbong Marcos.
In a statement, Defensor — an ally of Marcos — said the Palace “should consider” offering a Presidential Security Group team to the son of the late dictator.
“Of all the major presidential candidates, only Bongbong does not have any personal protection extended by the government because he is not a current officeholder,” Defensor said Sunday.
“The problem with our set up here is that if you are not an incumbent official and you run for president or vice president, you have no government protection at all, unlike in the United States,” he added, noting the major presidential and vice presidential candidates get protective services from the American government.
Defensor said he is “not worried” about the safety of Vice President Leni Robredo, and Senators Manny Pacquiao and Panfilo Lacson as they have official protection because of their current posts.
Other candidates vying for the country’s highest post are labor leader Leody de Guzman, ex-presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, Jose Montemayor, Jr., former Defense chief Norberto Gonzales, Faisal Mangondato, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
