Duterte not supporting any presidential bet despite ‘Ilokano’ joke –Palace

After he joked about choosing an Ilocano to lead the country after he steps down from office, Malacañang reiterated that President Rodrigo Duterte was not supporting any presidential candidate.

During Tuesday's Palace briefing, acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar recalled that the President had said that "he does not support any presidential candidates unless there is a compelling reason."

“He clearly said he may or he may not. So hintayin na lang po natin ang magiging desisyon ng ating mahal na Pangulo. Kung ano man yung sinabi ni President sa Ilocos, you know the President, he likes to play with words and he loves to horse around,” said Andanar.

(He clearly said he may or he may not. So let’s wait for the President's decision. Whatever he said in the Ilocos, you know the President, he likes to play with words, and he loves to horse around.)

During his speech at the inauguration of the Narvacan Farmers Market in Ilocos Sur, Duterte joked that it was up to Filipino voters to choose which Ilocano would lead the country after he steps down from office.

Duterte added that most of his Cabinet were from the Ilocos, and voters could choose his successor from among them.

“You know in my Cabinet aapat o tatlo na lang kaming Bisaya na naiwan puro Ilokano na kaya ibigay ko na lang itong isang buwan aalis na ako sa Malacañang mamili na kung sinong Ilokano na leader ang ilagay ninyo doon,” he said.

(You know in my Cabinet there are only four or three of us Visayans left while the majority are Ilocans so I'll just give it a month. I'm leaving Malacañang, you may choose which Ilokano leader to elect.)

— DVM, GMA News