Bongbong: I can work with any of the presidentiables

Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday said he can work well with any of the presidential aspirants if ever he wins Vice President in the May 9 national elections.

"If I get elected, I can work with any of the presidential candidates," said Marcos, the running mate of Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, in a statement.

"Secretary Mar Roxas is the cousin of my wife, Vice President Jejomar Binay and I are from the north,  Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and I are good friends and Senator Grace Poe is my sister in government. We are good friends," he added.

But while saying that he can work along well with any of the presidentiables, Marcos was quick to add that he will "neither be an apologist nor a cheerleader of the future president."

"I won't just be the President's cheerleader or apologist, nor will I be his or her rubberstamp but I will fully cooperate in programs that will uplift the lives of the people because we need unity to get the country moving towards a progressive future," Marcos said.

Marcos said he will not hesitate to call the attention of the upcoming administration if he sees wrongdoings in the government.

"I will also act as a fiscalizer and will freely yet tactfully and diplomatically speak my mind about important public issues, as well as about the shortcomings and weak points of the government," he said.

Platform

Marcos, who placed second in recent surveys of Pulse Asia and Social Weather Station (SWS) after Sen. Francis Escudero, said he wants his platform of governance to be defined as "unitive, competent and cooperative," promising to rally behind whoever will be elected as the country's next President.

"If and when I become Vice President, my platform of public service will be defined not by a 'hopeful patience’ or ‘wishful thinking,’ but rather, of unity, trust, and co-operation. I will be a trustworthy team player and a competent role player," Marcos said.

Despite being Santiago's running mate, the two have agreed not to run under the same party. Santiago will run under her People's Reform Party, the same party she founded and ran under when she sought the presidency in 1992 and 1998, while Marcos will run as independent.

Santiago and Marcos will also have their own campaign schedules although they are set to hold a joint proclamation rally in Batac, Ilocos Norte, on Tuesday, the official start of the campaign period for candidates seeking national posts.

Batac is the hometown of Marcos' father, the late dictator, Former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Marcos had talks with Duterte regarding a possible partnership in the upcoming elections, but Duterte eventually chose Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano to be his running mate. —KBK, GMA News