Liza Araneta-Marcos, the wife of presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos, refuses to think about the role she would play if she becomes first lady, saying that she enjoys her private life as a lawyer and educator.
Mrs. Marcos said entering the government is "not [her] thing", having been a law professor who likes "staying out of the limelight."
"Maybe I'll cross the bridge when I get there," she told celebrity talk show host Boy Abunda when asked if she would be politically involved if ever she becomes first lady.
"But if ever, teaching will be good, I'm a lawyer. But to enter government, no way," she added.
Mrs. Marcos taught law subjects in various schools in the country, including the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Far Eastern University, Northwestern University, and the Mariano Marcos State University. She last taught at Saint Louis University in Baguio City.
As a way to help her students pass the Bar Exams, she donated her salary to them which they used for whatever they would be needing for the exams.
"I've been teaching for 20 years so I tell them, 'My salary, we'll just use it for the Bar,'" she said.
"I don't accept it and I just tell them, just make it puhunan until the fourth year and then my students will take the Bar," she added.
Despite her work as an educator and being the wife of a politician, Mrs. Marcos said she enjoys being a private person.
"I really like my anonymity. That's why I like New York, nobody knows you, you can do your thing. Now, let's see, if he wins, I'll deal with it," she said.
Although Marcos is currently the top choice for president of many Filipinos in various pre-election surveys, Mrs. Marcos said she doesn't want to be too confident. She recalled how painful it was for their family when her husband lost the vice presidency in 2016 despite also topping the polls.
"In 2016 we really thought we would win, and it was really painful. Now, they're saying, 'Ang lakas niyo, sure na yan.' In my mind, 'Try losing and living with it for six years.' That's difficult," she said.
Six months ago, her husband wasn't even sure about what his plans would be for the 2022 elections, she said. It wasn't until one day when they were watching a movie that Marcos made up his mind.
"We were watching 'Ant-Man' in the room, kasi we love Marvel movies. And then he looked at me and he goes, 'Okay, we're gonna this.' I said, 'Do what?' 'Run for the presidency,'" she quoted her husband as saying.
Although she felt nervous, with the pain from the 2016 elections still fresh in her mind, Mrs. Marcos said she let her husband make the decision. "I didn't encourage, but I didn't discourage," she said.
Now, as the campaign period is in full swing, Mrs. Marcos hopes that the public would know her husband the way she knows him.
"Mabait talaga si Bong, I can't even begin to say how intelligent and how kind he is. If that were me being bashed like that for 30 years, I'd be a basketcase," she said.
"He's a good guy, and I think it's his time. If we had our way, why would you enter politics, you're already comfortable? It's really to serve. When he says public service, he really wants to serve," she added.
MORE ON THE MARCOSES:
How Bongbong Marcos is Riding the Strongman Template to Malacanang
Bongbong Marcos Not a Degree Graduate of Oxford University: Filipino Alumni
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