Bongbong calls Lozano, ‘Cayetano’ nuisance bets

LAOAG CITY - Ilocos Norte Gov. Ferdinand “Bongbong" Marcos Jr on Wednesday said Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) senatorial candidates Joselito “Pepito" Cayetano and Oliver Lozano are an embarrassment to the party founded by his father, the late president Ferdinand Marcos. “My father did not create the KBL to be a repository of nuisance candidates," Marcos said during a press conference held for the Genuine Opposition (GO) candidates at the provincial capitol. He added: “All those people who claim to be KBL stalwarts are an embarrassment to us who have been with the KBL since its inception and even before it was only a movement." Marcos, who is running for the congressional district to be vacated by his sister Imee said it was possible that Malacañang was behind the fielding of Joselito Cayetano to derail the bid of GO candidate Alan Peter Cayetano but stressed “we’re not aiding that machination." “To be perfectly clear, I don’t recognize him as a KBL candidate," he said. Marcos called Joselito, Lozano and the rest of the “purported" KBL senatorial slate as “renegade members who will be handled internally" by the party. The outgoing Ilocos Norte governor nevertheless said the party would not waste its time questioning their candidacies before the Commission on Elections (Comelec). “We can question (their candidacies), but there’s no point actually. It’s not necessary...," Marcos said. Marcos, KBL’s president, said the party should have fielded senatorial candidates who have chances of winning. Marcos said Joselito and Lozano would be dealt with by the party leadership after the elections. “There’s an election and an ongoing campaign. This is not the time. It would only distract us," he said. Marcos said he doesn’t believe Joselito’s candidacy would not hurt Cayetano’s candidacy. “I don’t think [Joselito] is ruining his candidacy. I think Congressman Cayetano knows what he’s doing," he said, noting that he spoke with the GO candidate over the phone and was personally informed about his absence during the Ilocos swing of the GO ticket. Cayetano has sent formal notice to the GO campaign team that he could not attend the Ilocos sortie since he was to attend a hearing on his petition against Joselito Cayetano. - GMANews.TV