Bongbong in talks with both PDP-Laban factions, other parties, says Imee

Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has been meeting with the two dissenting factions of the PDP-Laban regarding a possible candidacy in the 2022 elections, according to his sister Senator Maria Imelda “Josefa” Marcos.

In a virtual briefing Monday, Marcos said her brother has been doing the rounds, and has been in talks with several parties including the Nacionalista Party which he remains part of.

“Andiyan rin ‘yung iba’t ibang partido ng HNP, siyempre sinuportahan kami ni [Davao City Mayor] Inday Sara [Duterte] kahit regional lang ‘yun, may Pederalismo na talagang inaawitan din siya, at may iba iba pang mga kaibigan sa dalawang pangkat ng PDP,” she said.

“I know na si Senator [Emmanuel] “Manny” Pacquiao nag-usap din sila, so everything is open and in flux at the moment,” she added.

(Several parties are in the mix like the HNP, of course we were supported by Inday Sara even if that was just regional, the Federalism group is also courting him, and other friends from the two factions of the PDP.

I know that he is also in talks with Senator Manny Pacquiao, so everything is open and in flux at the moment.)

Marcos was referring to the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, which has been divided into two factions — one led by Pacquiao, and another led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

The party, in July, ousted Pacquiao — who was already in the United States for his title boxing fight — as president, and installed Cusi as his replacement. This has been debated upon by the two factions.

Over the weekend, the Pacquiao faction elected Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III as its chairman, replacing President Rodrigo Duterte.

Marcos said her brother is keeping his options open, but the family remains with the Duterte alliance.

“Wala pa talaga, pero siyempre maliwanag na sa administrasyon kami, talagang Alyansa Duterte kami, so ‘yun siguro eh tignan natin kung papano lalabas ‘yung AlDuB na ‘yan, yung Alyansa Duterte Bongbong,” she said.

(It’s not final yet, but of course it is clear that we remain with the administration, we are with the Duterte alliance, so let’s see how that AlDuB will come out - the Alliance of Duterte and Bongbong.)

“Like I keep saying, he’s open to whatever arrangement there should be,” said Marcos.

The younger Marcos was defeated in the 2016 elections, yielding to incumbent Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo. He protested the results, but the appeal was junked by the Supreme Court in February.

“Basta si Bongbong sige sige, alam mo naman ‘yun, tuloy-tuloy lang siya kung ano eh, umiikot-ikot lang siya tapos sabi niya ‘pag kinailangan siya andiyan naman siya, ‘pag ka hindi okay lang. Maski ano okay lang. Mabait yung kapatid ko kaysa sa akin,”  the senator said.

(Bongbond is just doing his rounds, and he said he is ready if he will be needed or not. He is okay with whatever. My brother if kinder than me.)—AOL, GMA News