Vice presidential aspirant and House Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza on Monday, Nov. 21 lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for “telling the truth about the issues” affecting the presidential candidacy of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.
“It is clear that President Duterte was referring to Bongbong Marcos. I am never convinced Bongbong will be a strong leader,” said Atienza referring to Duterte’s statement last week that a presidential aspirant can be a “weak leader.”
Atienza, Buhay Partylist representative, said he expects people to become more discerning as soon the presidential debates start, saying that Duterte’s description of the PFP aspirant will then be fully validated.
“People will then be guided clearly than being blinded by money and power,” the House official stated during a virtual press conference in Quezon City.
He predicted that Marcos’ popularity will wane as soon as public debates start to unfold and Filipinos finally realize the truth about the former senator’s candidacy.
However, the former Manila mayor believes that the poor among Filipinos will support his presidential candidate, Senator Manny Pacquiao for his brand of sincerity, integrity and intelligence as a leader.
Like many people, Atienza told a news forum in Quezon City that he was equally pleasantly surprised that Duterte has started to air serious misgivings over the candidacy of Marcos, saying that he thought the chief executive would support the only son of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
“Ang lumabas sa sinabi ni Duterte ay hindi magiging mabuting pangulo iyan (What turned out is that Duterte said he (Marcos) will not make a good president),” said Atienza in a response to a question raised by a reporter.
Asked to give his impression of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Atienza stated that he believes Duterte’s choice for president is a “good man” but made the wrong decision in seeking the presidency.
“This may not be the best time for Bong Go to win an elections,”said Aitenza, noting that it is too early for the senator to run for president being a first termer in the Senate.