Malacañang said it is not yet clear if President Duterte is supporting the decision of his party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), to endorse the candidacy of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
In a virtual Palace briefing on Tuesday, March 22, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the PDP-Laban's endorsement for the late dictator's son is a "collegial decision as a political party."
"The President himself has not given any statement on the issue or if he is not supporting this or that president," Andanar told reporters.
"Ito ay malinaw na desisyon ng partido, pero hindi malinaw kung ito rin ang gusto ni Pangulong Duterte (This is a clear decision of the party but it is not clear if this is also what President Duterte wants)," he added.
According to Andanar, there have been no discussions yet whether or not Duterte will endorse a presidential bet, less than two months to go before the May 9, 2022 elections
"Hindi po napag-uusapan ang tungkol sa politika o tungkol sa hakbang na ginawa ng PDP-Laban. Hintayin na lang po natin si Pangulong Duterte kung ano ang kanyang personal na desisyon (There are no discussions about politics or the decision of the PDP-Laban. Let's just wait for President Duterte's personal decision on the matter)," he added.
Earlier Tuesday, the faction of PDP-Laban led by Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi endorsed the candidacy of Marcos Jr. Duterte sits as the party chairman under this wing.
The PDP-Laban, a party founded to fight the Marcos dictatorship, is divided into two factions—one led by Cusi and the other led by presidential candidate Senator Emmanuel 'Manny' Pacquiao.
Since the start of the campaign season, Duterte has remained firm in his stance not to endorse any presidential candidate for the May 2022 polls, adding that he prefers to “stay neutral."
He has adopted a hands-off stance even as his daughter, vice presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, is running with Marcos Jr. who he called "spoiled" and a "weak leader."