Presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos on Wednesday said he was unbothered by President Rodrigo Duterte's statement that his successor be a lawyer like himself.
The son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was asked during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay if he was concerned about Duterte's statement about his preferred successor.
"That's what he thinks. Because he is a lawyer and I'm sure he found the fact that he was a lawyer, that he found that his legal training to be of use to him, and that's why he's saying that," Marcos said.
"But it’s not necessarily the case. Marami pang ibang sinabi si Pangulo.... Alam mo naman si PRRD, let's just say he's a very seasoned politician," he added.
Duterte told Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy in an interview over the weekend that his successor must be compassionate, decisive, and a good judge of one's character, adding that a lawyer is an ideal president.
"First, the president should be a compassionate one, yung para sa tao talaga," Duterte said.
"Second, you must be decisive.... Hindi naman ako nagsabi it’s the best quality, but one of the good qualities of a president, sana abogado," he added.
Of the 10 candidates aspiring to succeed Duterte from his post, only Vice President Leni Robredo and Jose Montemayor are lawyers.
Duterte has yet to endorse a successor in the May 9 elections even as his daughter, vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte, is running alongside presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos.
He previously told those who were present during the inauguration of the Narvacan Farmers Market in Ilocos Sur that they can "choose an Ilocano" for president. Ilocos Sur is part of the so-called "Solid North" political base of the Marcos family.
ALSO READ:
'I Am Not Supporting Anybody Right Now': Duterte on Presidential Campaign
Plot Twists Leave Duterte Without Anointed Successor, What's Next?
Will Solid North Vote with Solid South? Bongbong and Sara Test Marcos Playbook
Reportr is now on Quento. Download the app or visit the Quento website for more articles and videos from Reportr and your favorite websites.
