Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) — Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he decided to run for president as his rivals’ platforms are not well thought out.
In an interview with Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and Erwin Tulfo aired by PTV4 on Saturday, Marcos was asked what made him decide to run for president.
“From 2016 up to the point that you filed your certificate of candidacy, ano ‘yung nag-udyok sa’yo tumakbo (what prompted you to run)?” Andanar asked.
Marcos replied: “Nung nakita ko ‘yung mga ibang tatakbo, nakikinig ako sa kanila, sabi ko, hindi yata napag-isipan nang mabuti yung kanilang sinasabi na plataporma o plano para sa COVID at saka sa ekonomiya.”
[Translation: When I saw the other candidates, I was listening to them, I said, it seemed that they their platforms or plans for COVID and the economy are not well thought out.]
Marcos also said his presidential bid was influenced by the political situation.
“Tapos siyempre tinitignan ko ‘yung political situation. Ano ba talaga ang mangyayari dito? So doon sa political situation, pumanig naman lahat sa opposition. Eh ako nakapanig naman ako sa administrasyon,” he said.
[Translation: I was also looking at the political situation. What will really happen here? So with regards to the political situation, everyone supported the opposition. I support the administration.]
“Sabi ko kung ako ‘yung nandoon, siguro kaya ko na ipaglaban ito. At some point, sabi ko, siguro, sige I’ll go ahead and run for the presidency,” he added.
[Translation: I said if I’m there, perhaps I can fight for this. At some point, I said, maybe I’ll go ahead and run for the presidency.]
The interview was aired before the first presidential debate organized by the Commission on Elections for the 2022 polls. Marcos skipped the debates organized the Comelec and CNN Philippines as well as the presidential forum organized by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas and the presidential interview by GMA-7
In an earlier interview with Boy Abunda, Marcos said he doesn’t want the government to implement lockdown again. He also said if he would be elected president, he would focus on reaching herd immunity to help the economy recover and address unemployment.
Marcos’ running mate is presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he cannot back the presidential bids of Marcos and Senator Manny Pacquiao. The President said he would explain his reason during the campaign period.
