Robin Padilla says ex-president Duterte is not anti-Marcos

Senator Robin Padilla on Thursday said that his party-mate and former President Rodrigo Duterte is not against President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. despite past tirades.

“Una po si mayor (President Duterte) ang aming...pagdating sa partido, siya ang aming supreme leader. Definitely, nasa kanya ang support ng lahat ng PDP. Ang nangyaring annual meeting at endorsement ng tatakbong senador, nag-speech si mayor, ang sabi ni mayor ayaw niya ng gulo,” Padilla said, referring to Duterte’s speech which he delivered during the PDP anniversary event in Cebu last April 19.

(The former President is the party's supreme leader and we had an annual meeting, endorsement of Senate bets for 2025. He gave a speech and he said he does not want chaos.) 

“Ayaw niya ng makipag-away. Gusto lang niya maging maayos sila PBBM (President Bongbong Marcos). Sabi niya, siya ay nakasuporta at naniniwala siyang si PBBM di involved sa katiwalian. Kaya kumbaga doon kami nakatindig, ang PDP,” Padilla added.

(He does not want to pick a fight and wishes the President well, that he supports him and the President is not involved in corruption. That is where the party stands.) 

Padilla made the response to the query if he shares the sentiment of his fellow PDP party members who have expressed support for the incumbent president.  PDP is headed by Duterte.

Duterte earlier called Marcos “bangag” or high on illegal drugs, alleged that the President is after a term extension, and branded him a "crybaby" for allegedly always seeking out United States’ aid amid Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

During his April 19 speech, Duterte said he does not harbor ill feelings toward Marcos and that he has not heard of reports linking the president to corruption.

“Si Marcos, in fairness, walang halong galit, walang halong pulitika. Wala akong naririnig na siya ay involved sa corruption,” the former leader said.

“Antayin na lang natin. One term lang naman. Huwag na natin awayin,” Duterte said.

(Let’s just wait. It is just one term anyway. Let’s not pick a fight.)

Marcos had said that his relationship with the Duterte family is complicated but did not elaborate.—LDF, GMA Integrated News