Palace to Roque calling Marcos ‘lame duck’: Come home, see for yourself

Metro Manila, Philippines - Malacañang dared ex-presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to come home and personally see, as he claimed, if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is a “lame duck.”

“Kung lame duck po ang pangulo at parang balewala na po ang administrasyon, dapat bumalik po siya kaagad dito,” said Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, May 14.

[Translation: If the president is truly a lame duck and the administration supposedly holds no power, then he should come back here immediately]

Roque made the statement on social media Tuesday night after the release of partial results in the senatorial race, which showed strong performance from candidates backed by former President Rodrigo Duterte — Roque’s former boss.

“‘Di man kandidato si Junior, nawala pa rin ang mga pangil niya! Heto na ang tunay na lame duck na presidente!” Roque wrote, referring to the suffix of the president’s name.

[Translation: Even if Junior wasn’t a candidate, he still lost his fangs! This is now the true lame duck president!]

Asked about the midterm polls often viewed as a referendum on the administration, Castro said President Marcos continues to enjoy the public’s trust.

“Naniniwala pa rin po ang pangulo na malaki pa rin po ang suporta ng taumbayan sa administrasyon sa ngayon,” she said.

[Translation: The president still believes he enjoys strong public support at this time.]