Philippine president says he has yet to decide who to back as successor

Manila, Philippines - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has affirmed his intention to endorse a candidate for the 2028 presidential election, but has not yet disclosed the identity of the individual he would support. The Philippine constitution mandates that presidents can only serve a single six-year term, making Marcos a prime candidate to endorse a successor. However, he has emphasized that deciding on a candidate now would be premature and that he has yet to engage in discussions with any potential contenders.

At a recent press conference with foreign journalists, Marcos stated that the decision will be made once the political landscape has stabilized. He expressed his commitment to backing the best candidate available for the welfare of the Filipino people. The endorsement of a successor is crucial, given that his political rival, Sara Duterte, has gained a significant lead in opinion polls ahead of the 2028 election.

Sara Duterte, the estranged vice president of Marcos, announced her intention to run for president in February. Their alliance had dissolved early in their term, leading to investigations into financial irregularities and allegations of corruption. Duterte is currently facing an impeachment trial in the Senate, accused of financial misconduct, accumulating unusual wealth, and threatening the life of Marcos. Should she be found guilty, she would be banned from holding political office for life.

The Marcos-Duterte partnership ended acrimoniously, resulting in the International Criminal Court issuing a warrant for Rodrigo Duterte's arrest on charges of drug-related murder. The government subsequently extradited him to the court. Marcos has distanced himself from the impeachment proceedings, maintaining that it is a legislative matter and not his concern.