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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Chavit Singson: Marcos became president because of me

Chavit Singson: Marcos became president because of me

Published Sep 20, 2025 09:32 am
Business magnate and former politician Chavit Singson has claimed that Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. would not have become president if it was not for him.
And now, Singson, who is unsatisfied with the Marcos presidency, has called for a total overhaul of the government amid controversies surrounding government flood control projects since those in power "are all corrupt".
Speaking in a press conference on Friday, Sep. 19, Singson apologized to all mayors who he convinced to endorse Marcos in 2022.
"Humihingi muna ako ng paumanhin at patawad sa mayors na kinausap ko, na nakumbinsi. Parang nabudol tayo (I first want to apologize to all the mayors I talked to and convinced to endorse Marcos. It seems we've been scammed)," he said.
Singson recalled how he helped Marcos on his path to the presidency—from strategizing about the position he would run for to securing the support of local chief executives since he was once the president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP).
He said he was the one who told Marcos to run for president alongside then-Davao City mayor Sara Duterte, as the vice president.
"Tinawag ako ni Senator Imee Marcos. Sabi nya, 'Manong Chavit, can you help us for the re-election of Bongbong dahil dinaya lang...' Ang suggestion ko mag file muna tayo ng president, para pag mag file si Sara ng vice president, protected ka na (Senator Imee called me and asked, 'Big brother, can you help in the re-election of Bongbong because he was cheated before...So I suggested that he file for the presidency, so when Sara runs for vice president, he's already protected)," Singson said.
Singson said Marcos initially planned to run again for vice president after his first defeat in 2016, but he swayed him to aim for Malacañang instead.
"Alam mo sabi ni BBM (Bongbong Marcos), 'Manong, ang swerte ko, ikaw ang presidente ng mayors league (BBM eventually told me, 'Big brother, I was lucky because you were the president of the mayors league)," he added.
But Singson's relationship with Marcos turned sour when the President snubbed his request to grant him or his son a position in the government.
And now, it turned even worse as Singson expressed dissatisfaction with how Marcos was handling the government—from the Philippines' relations with China to the flood control projects corruption scandal.
Singson said there must be a total overhaul of the government because all of agencies now are "corrupt".
He said the new government must be formed and decided by the military, religious organizations,  and businessmen.
"Mga matitino muna, including religious organizations, military. Sila mauuna, alis muna mga politicians (We should give way to the religious organizations and the military. Let's prioritize them and set aside the politicians)," he added.
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