Atienza delighted by Duterte's take on Marcos presidential run

A day after President Rodrigo Duterte belittled former Senator Bongbong Marcos' capacity to lead the nation, Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza said that he was delighted by the President's take on the Marcos presidential run.

"[I have never been] convinced by Bongbong Marcos' capacity or right to lead the nation... I am quite delighted that President Duterte is at least telling the truth on the issues surrounding Bongbong Marcos' candidacy," Atienza said during Monday's Pandesal Forum.

Atienza added that Duterte's refusal to support Marcos Jr. was a huge blow to the latter's aspiration for the presidency. However, the Deputy Speaker also admitted that he was surprised that Duterte was not supporting Marcos Jr. in the coming elections.

"[S]a tingin ko, malaking bagay, malaking kabawasan ang mangyayari kay Bongbong, na hindi siya sinusuportahan na ngayon ng Pangulong Duterte," Atienza said.

On Sunday, Duterte called Marcos Jr. "a weak leader" as he ruled out a coalition with his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's Lakas-CMD.

Mayor Sara is running for vice president under Lakas-CMD. She is Marcos Jr.'s running mate in the coming elections.

On November 18, Duterte had also claimed that a presidential aspirant was a cocaine user.

Marcos Jr.'s representatives brushed off Duterte's claims, though they added that they respected the President. Attorney Vic Rodriguez, Marcos Jr.'s spokesman, said they did not believe Duterte's comments were directed at the former senator.

Other presidential bets, Senators Christopher "Bong" Go and Manny Pacquiao said they were willing to undergo drug tests following Duterte's claim.

For her part, Vice President Leni Robredo said she favored surprise drug tests for candidates. She also said Duterte should file a case against the candidate if he had evidence.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, said he was 1,000% certain that Duterte was not referring to him when he made the revelation. — DVM, GMA News