President Rodrigo Duterte and presidential candidate former senator Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� Marcos Jr. (file photo)
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听MANILA, Philippines 鈥� President Duterte has not endorsed a 2022 presidential candidate, so far, despite meeting over the weekend with former senator Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� Marcos Jr.听
鈥淎 meeting did occur between Duterte and [former] Senator Marcos, whether or not this can be interpreted as an endorsement, of course, the President has not endorsed any candidate,鈥� acting Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Kris Ablan said during Friday鈥檚 Palace briefing.
鈥淎 meeting was just arranged and they met. But there is no endorsement insofar as Malaca帽ang is concerned,鈥� he added.
Duterte and Marcos met on Sunday, Mar. 20., according to the president鈥檚 long-time aide, Senator Bong Go, who was present during the meeting.
Duterte and Marcos鈥� meeting was 鈥減roductive,鈥� with the Chief Executive sharing his experiences and giving advice on the presidency, said Go.
听The meeting between Duterte and Marcos came a few days before a wing of the ruling party PDP-Laban endorsed the former senator鈥檚 presidential bid.
Go said the meeting with Duterte was one of the factors that led to the PDP-Laban wing endorsement, aside from the various talks and consultations among its members.