Duterte: You're better off with dictator like Marcos

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday stepped up his attack on Vice President Leni Robredo's capacity to lead the country, saying the country would be better off with a dictator like Ferdinand Marcos.

Duterte, who had repeatedly questioned Robredo's competence as a leader, had said that he preferred a military junta or politicians like defeated vice presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., and Senator Francis Escudero.

"If I stop now my crusade against drugs and if there is no order in this place, Philippines, and corruption will continue, patay," Duterte said in Mandaue City.

"I said you're better off choosing a dictator in the likes of Marcos. That is what I suggested," he added.

Malacañang earlier said Duterte might step down from the presidency if Marcos won his electoral protest against Robredo.

GMA News Online is still trying to get Robredo's comment as of posting time.

Duterte on Thursday accused the Robredo's brother-in-law of bringing the illegal drug trade to Bicol.

Duterte did not name the Robredo relative but former Naga City councilor Luis Ortega had claimed that Butch Robredo, a brother of the late former Naga mayor and Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, had links to illegal drugs.

The vice president is Jesse's widow.

Malacañang has since called a probe into Butch Robredo's alleged drug ties.

"I stand by my word na [Naga] the hotbed of [shabu], brother-in-law niya ang nagdala ng drugs sa Bicol. Totoo yan. Syempre denial," Duterte said. —Virgil Lopez/NB, GMA News