Opinion | Duterte’s last-minute endorsement could seal the deal for Bongbong Marcos Jnr, but will the outgoing Philippine president give it?
- Incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to anoint a successor ahead of the May 9 election, but he could simply be waiting for the opportune moment
- Marcos Jnr is seen as more likely than his closest rival, Leni Robredo, to protect Duterte from prosecution – but the strongman’s son comes with more baggage
The popular incumbent initially expressed little interest in the May 9 election, but has since endorsed several local and senatorial aspirants – and supported the vice-presidential bid of his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio.
He has yet to anoint a successor, but may yet weigh in at the most decisive moment. Given how fluid the run-up to this heated contest has been, a last-minute intervention by the feisty leader cannot be ruled out.
Duterte has made several allusions to the presidential race, but often in coded remarks that make it difficult to spot the red herrings.
After describing one candidate as a “weak leader” and cocaine user who was only riding on the strength of his family’s name, many assumed Duterte was describing Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jnr, son and namesake of the late Philippine strongman, who is currently leading in the opinion polls.
Marcos Jnr’s camp dismissed the remarks, however, with the candidate himself calling them “plain politics” in a recent interview and Duterte’s way of keeping “everyone on their toes”.
