Bongbong bares 2016 plans

MANILA, Philippines - While it’s still too early to talk about the 2016 national elections, several aspirants have started positioning themselves for a possible run, including Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Marcos, the son and namesake of the late strongman, revealed in a recent forum that he “will definitely be running for something in 2016.”

“I will be a candidate for something but you know, what is the definition of good luck? The way I learned it, good luck is being ready when the opportunity presents itself.  So, who knows, I might be lucky in 2016,” Marcos said.

He said he has not decided which position he would run for in 2016. He is eligible for reelection since he is only in his first term at the Senate.

It was not the first time Marcos sounded off the possibility of running for higher office in 2016 since he is often asked about this because of the prominence of his family name in Philippine politics.

Marcos said he has to consider several factors before deciding on whether to seek higher office, including how well he does in the surveys.

However, other than the results of the surveys, Marcos said what is more important is that he, just like any other aspirant, should have a solid feasible plan.

Several names have cropped up as possible running mates for Marcos if he decides to run for president or vice president.

His colleagues Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Alan Peter Cayetano were among those mentioned.

Marcos recalled the “Bongbong-Bong” tandem came up some time ago when Revilla visited his home province of Ilocos and they were asked if such a team up was possible.

“I said why not and that quickly spread,” he said.

Cayetano, on the other hand, is widely believed to be aspiring for higher office, an issue which was heavily discussed during the campaign for the recently concluded midterm elections.

Though admitting the plans for 2016 were still too early to discuss, Marcos said this would play a major role in how the political landscape will shape up over the next three years.

Marcos said his recent meeting with Nacionalista Party president, outgoing Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., ended with a discussion about the 2016 elections.

“Who will be our allies and enemies, all of those things. So, anyone who might be an opposition, non-LP (Liberal Party) presidential candidate will, I’m sure, not get any aid (from the administration),” he said.