"Bongbong Narcos" was a trending topic on Twitter Friday morning, after President Rodrigo Duterte claimed that one of those seeking to replace him in 2022 was a cocaine user.
While Duterte did not name the aspirant, he said the person comes from a rich family and questioned the individual's qualifications for the presidency.
Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, had previously denied drug use and is seeking the presidency in 2022, with Duterte's daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, as his vice president.
"I will not make it clear now, there has been a presidential candidate na nag-cocaine," Duterte said in a speech in Oriental Mindoro.
"May kandidato tayo na nagko-cocaine ‘yan, iyang mga anak ng mga mayaman. Kaya ako nagtaka ako, anong nagawa ng --- anong nagawa ‘yung tao na ‘yun? I’m just asking. Ano, anong, anong --- what contribution has he made pala sa Pilipinas?" he said.
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Duterte alleged that the drug-using politician is involved with a group of rich individuals using cocaine in his hometown Davao City, and in Manila.
The President's claims fueled speculations on social media, with "Bongbong Narcos" in the ninth spot of the trending topics in the Philippines as of Friday morning.
Campaigning for the vice presidency in 2016, Marcos said he was willing to take a drug test. “I have always been always open to it. I am willing to undergo a drug test to show my sincerity in the fight against illegal drugs," he said.
Marcos is going against Duterte's bet, Sen. Bong Go, Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Manny Pacquiao, and Ping Lacson, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and labor leader Leody de Guzman.
Barred from reelection, Duterte is running for senator.
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