If he is to be asked as President Duterte's "friend", former senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito believes that the Chief Executive no longer needs to prove himself by running for vice president.
"As a friend, nag-presidente ka na, eh (you already served as a President), nothing more to prove. Whatever you say about the administration, you will leave a legacy," Ejercito said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel Friday, July 9, when asked about Duterte's possible vice presidential bid.
Ejercito particularly lauded the government's infrastructure programs, saying it is "one legacy that the Duterte administration will be leaving behind".
He said he is also concerned about Duterte's health, saying the 76-year-old President should just "relax" after his term.
"He's already...77 by that time. So Mr. President, you are my friend, I think you have nothing more to prove," he said.
"Kailangan magrelax (You need to relax)...enjoy life. You deserve to enjoy life," he added.
Still, he said running for the country's second highest post remains to be Duterte's decision.
HNP alliance?
Meanwhile, Ejercito expressed hope that he will again be considered as one of the candidates to be endorsed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).
He cited his close relationship with the President's daughter, who is being pushed to run for president.
"I'm still hoping and appealing to them, I hope they would consider those they work with you know, the track record," said Ejercito, who already expressed interest to again run for senator in 2022.
"I'm not implying anything, but look at the track record, the integrity. Because during campaign, you don't have to defend anymore your candidates. You just have to sell them," he added.
However, his political party, the Nationalist Peoples' Coalition (NPC), could field independent Senator Panfilo Lacson for president, with NPC chairman and Senate President Vicente Sotto III as his possible running mate for vice president.
Lacson and Sotto are currently touring provinces in Luzon in an apparent effort to consult sectors about their plans for 2022.
While NPC officials have yet to discuss possible alliances with other political parties, Ejercito said he is considering to campaign independently, along with reelectionist Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Sherwin Gatchalian and Joel Villanueva, so as not to "be caught in between" the potential presidential and vice presidential candidates.