Presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has said he is worried over the disqualification cases filed against him with the Commission on Elections—but seemed okay if running mate Sara Duterte-Carpio takes over as Chief Executive.
This scenario would develop if the two survey frontrunners win on May 9, but Marcos Jr. is disqualified after the national elections.
In an interview with Korina Sanchez that aired Saturday on A2Z Channel, Marcos Jr. answered affirmatively when asked if the scenario is possible: “Yes. If I am disqualified.”
“Of course, I take everything seriously. I worry about everything, but I don’t let it distract me from the campaign,” the former senator added.
Marcos Jr. is the standard-bearer of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, while Duterte-Carpio—daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte—is the chairman and vice-presidential bet of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD). The two parties have formed the so-called UniTeam Alliance.
The Comelec First Division has yet to release its decision on the consolidated petitions for his disqualification from the presidential race.
These petitions stem from a 1995 tax evasion conviction and were separately filed by martial law survivors, led by Bonifacio Ilagan; the Akbayan party-list; and Abubakar Mangelen. A majority vote is needed to either grant or junk the petitions.
Recently-retired Comelec commissioner Rowena Guanzon last week revealed she voted in favor of Marcos Jr.’s consolidated case involving the petitions.
The former senator also did not join the other presidential candidates in the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Presidential Forum on Friday, which coincidentally was the schedule of the taping of his television interview with Sanchez.