MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. likened yesterday Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Speaking to reporters during the weekly Samahang Plaridel news forum at the Manila Hotel, Marcos said just like Trump, Duterte remains popular and leading in poll surveys despite his controversial statements.
Marcos said the people continue backing Duterte’s presidential bid although he has vowed to kill more criminals if he is elected.
Earlier, Duterte came under fire for cussing Pope Francis. But the mayor said the curse was not directed at the pontiff but at the government over the massive traffic jams during the pope’s visit to Manila last January.
Duterte’s followers have remained loyal to him, Marcos said.
“People are looking for stability, we have no strong leadership for a while,” Marcos said.
Marcos, who is running for vice president, had admitted seeking Duterte’s support in the 2016 elections.
But he said at the time, Duterte had not made up his mind on seeking the presidency, prompting him to forge a “loose” alliance with presidential aspirant Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
Marcos denied that Santiago would back out of the presidential race to give way to the so-called “Duterte-Marcos” tandem in 2016.