Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos disclosed on Saturday that a Duterte administration official agreed to support his father, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in the 2022 presidential race in exchange for the right to appoint key officials, including the Executive secretary and House speaker. The revelation came during a speech by Marcos, who serves as House Majority Floor Leader and representative of Ilocos Norte (newsinfo.inquirer.net).
The disclosure highlights ongoing political maneuvering within the Philippines’ political landscape, with Marcos Jr. positioning himself as a potential successor to his father’s legacy. The deal reportedly involves significant influence over high-ranking positions in the government, raising questions about the nature of political alliances in the country.
Meanwhile, legal experts have drawn parallels between recent developments and past tactics used during the Duterte administration. A public interest lawyer noted that the recantation of four “maleta boys”—individuals accused of providing fabricated evidence—echoes a pattern of using unreliable witnesses to target political figures (cebudailynews.inquirer.net). This has sparked renewed debate over the integrity of legal proceedings and political accountability in the Philippines.
