Marcos-ally and Anakalusugan Rep. Michael Defensor thinks that Malacanang should offer the services of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) to presidential bet Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“Of all the major presidential candidates, only Bongbong does not have any personal protection extended by the government because he is not a current officeholder...The Palace should at least offer to provide Bongbong a small PSG team. It is up to him if he accepts or declines the offer,” Defensor said in a press statement on Sunday, April 17.
Marcos is currently not an active politician; his last stint in public office was six years ago when he served as a senator from 2010 to 2016.
Defensor then cited United States election procedures, arguing that the Philippines should adopt a similar process.
“In America, all presidential and vice-presidential candidates–whether they are current officeholders or not–are automatically safeguarded by the U.S. Secret Service, the same agency defending their sitting president against potential harm or attack,” Defensor added.
He further expounded that rival presidential candidates and incumbent politicians Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senator Manny Pacquiao, and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso are all afforded some form of official protection given their positions.
Defensor is running for the Quezon City mayorship and has been endorsed by his ally, UniTeam presidential bet Marcos.