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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace downplays Duterte's 'choose an Ilocano leader' remark: 'He loves to horse around'

Palace downplays Duterte's 'choose an Ilocano leader' remark: 'He loves to horse around'

Published Mar 8, 2022 03:56 pm

Malacañang on Tuesday, March 8, defended the remark of President Duterte to choose an Ilocano leader when his term ends during his recent speech in Ilocos Sur.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with key government officials at the Malacañan Palace on March 7, 2022. (KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

"Kung ano man iyong sinabi ni Presidente sa Ilocos (Whatever the President said in Ilocos), you know the President, he likes to play with words and he loves to horse around," Presidential Communications secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said in a Palace press briefing.

During the inauguration of the Narvacan Farmers Market last March 4, Duterte told the crowd that they can select which Ilocano they want to install in Malacañang.

"Kaya ibigay ko na lang 'yan... aalis na ako sa Malacañang. Mamili na kayo kung sinong Ilocano na leader ang ilagay ninyo doon (I will be leaving Malacañang. You have to choose which Ilocano leader you would put there)," he said.

Meanwhile, Andanar reiterated the previous pronouncement of the President that he may or may not endorse a presidential candidate.

"The President has repeatedly said that he does not support any presidential candidate unless there is a compelling reason," the PCOO chief said.

"At kung maalala ninyo po doon sa interview na ginawa nation (If you remember our interview) with the President, he clearly said–he may or he may not. So hintayin na lang po natin ang magiging desisyon ng ating mahal na Pangulo (Let's just wait for the President's decision)," Andanar added.

Duterte 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 along with Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., an Ilocano.

The President earlier said he would reveal in the future some issues against the presidential bets, though he singled out Marcos for being “spoiled” and a “weak leader.”

“Hindi ako bilib sa kanya (I am not a fan of his)... 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),” Duterte said in November last year.

Related Tags

President Duterte ilocos sur Malacañang palace Martin Andanar Ilocano leader narvacan
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