President Duterte said there will be no coalition between the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and Lakas-CMD (Christian Muslim Democrats) because of the latter’s link with presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Duterte made the statement as he convened PDP-Laban's local candidates for the May 2022 elections in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on Thursday, Nov. 18.
In his speech, which was only aired Friday afternoon, Nov. 19, the President said a coalition between the two parties was impossible because of the former senator's involvement. This developed even if his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, is running for vice president under Lakas-CMD next year.
"No, I cannot because nandiyan si Marcos eh. Hindi ako bilib sa kanya (Because Marcos is there. I am not a fan of his)," the President responded when a local leader asked him about a possible coalition between the two parties.
"He’s really a weak leader. Kaya ako sabi ko --- totoo ‘yan, hindi ako naninira ng tao, talagang weak ‘yan kasi spoiled child, only son (That's why I said --- that's true, I'm not destroying his reputation. He's really weak because he's a spoiled child, an only son)," he added.
The President described Marcos as a smooth talker, but one that cannot do anything during a crisis.
"Of course, he can talk. He delivers English articulate(ly). Nag-aral kasi kung saan-saan sa labas. Pero kung sabihin mo na may crisis, ganoon. He is a weak leader at saka may bagahe siya. (He studied at different places abroad. But if there's a crisis, he's a weak leader and he has baggage)," Duterte said.
"Iyan ‘yang sinasabi ko sa inyo, totoo ‘yan. I’m not --- hindi ako nag (That's what I can tell you) --- I do not foist lies," he added.
On Sunday, Nov. 14, President Duterte said he would soon reveal why he cannot support Marcos's bid for the presidency.
"I'm just asking for a few more hours at masasabi ko na kung ano ang talagang totoo. Sa kampanya sabihin ko bakit hindi ako pwedeng magsuporta kay Marcos (and I can tell the truth. In the campaign I will tell you why I can't support Marcos)," he said in an interview with pro-Duterte vlogger Byron Cristobal or "Banat By".
He likewise raised suspicion that it was Marcos who was behind his daughter's decision to run for vice president, a move which he admitted he didn't like.
"I'm sure yung pagtakbo ni Sara desisyon nila Bongbong yun (I'm sure that Sara running is the decision of Bongbong's)," Duterte said.