MANILA - Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is running for the Senate, and he's counting on his late father's “goodwill” to make him win.“I have been benefiting from the goodwill of my father. I have no doubt I will continue to benefit. Nandiyan pa rin ang kaniyang supporters. They are as enthusiastic, as competent, and as good as they ever were. Napakaswerte ko naman na ang aking ama ay naaalala pa at minamahal,” Marcos told House reporters on Wednesday.
Marcos was asked if there's any fear that voters would not choose him because of the record of his father's martial law government, and he replied: “It's the contrary. Wala naman ako nararamdaman na lugi kami in any way."
Bongbong's sister, former Rep. Imee Marcos, is confident the voters will appreciate their track record. She joined her brother in the press conference.
“There's a great deal said about the Marcos legacy. The proof of the pudding is in Bong and I's service. We served more than a decade, unbesmirched by any corruption scandal. Wala naman nasasabing ganon,” Imee said.
Bongbong said fighting corruption is, in fact, one of his core advocacies.
“Do I have the moral ascendancy? Of course. Even the worst critics of my father's administration would admit there was nothing. May salbahe talaga, pero hindi ganito na institutionalized. Magnakaw ka kasi yun ang inuutos ng mga boss,” Marcos said.
According to the latest Pulse Asia survey conducted October 22 to 30, 18.4% Filipinos said they will vote for Marcos, ranking him 16th among possible senatorial candidates. He has a national awareness rating of 97%. His television advertisements are already being shown.
Coalition with NP in the works
Marcos said he was invited to become a “guest candidate” in three opposition parties—Nacionalista Party (NP) of Senator Manuel Villar, Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of former President Joseph Estrada, and the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) of former Ambassador Eduardo 'Danding' Cojuangco Jr..
But he said he is working out a coalition with one of the political parties, knowing that he needs a dedicated political party who can give him the “best support.” Marcos didn't name the political party, but according to NP insiders, Marcos is already a shoo-in for the party.
“Maganda na yan. Guest ka sa lahat. Pero kung practical, hindi pwede ganon. Kailangan pumili ng partido. You have to have one group na pwede mong samahan sa lakad. Malaking bagay ang machinery, also for protection. If this is on lesson I learned in 1995, kailangan matibay-tibay ang organization mo para boto mo hindi mawala,” Marcos said.
Marcos ran for senator in 1995, but lost. He claimed he was cheated.
The Marcos siblings spoke highly of Lakas-Kampi presidential candidate Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, but they dismissed any possibility of running with the administration.
“Awang-awa ako kay Gibo. Nanghinhinayang ako sa kanya. Bakit napasubo sya. Maling panig,” said Imee, who worked with Teodoro during the days of the Kabataang Barangay.
“He's a good guy. Malaki respeto namin sa pagkatao nya. We simply don't agree with what the administration has done. The administration has very much to answer for,” said Bongbong.
Noynoy's senator?
Marcos said he is open to joining the senatorial ticket of the Liberal Party as “guest candidate.” LP is fielding Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. Their fathers were arch political enemies before and during martial law.
“Bakit hindi? Napakatibay naman ng sitwasyon ko kung sa apat na kandidato ay guest candidate ako. That will put me in a good position. Kung makadagdag ng support groups, bakit hindi?” Marcos said.
But there are no invitations. “Nag-aantay ako ng tawag. Walang tumamawag. I'm waiting by the phone for the telephone call to come. Thus far, wala pa. To be a guest candidate, you have to be invited. The invitation has not been coming. But it's not really a great surprise,” Marcos said.
“We have been at the wrong end of vindictiveness. The lessons we learned from that experience, dapat hindi personalan. Trabaho ang pamamahala,” Bongbong said.
as of 11/17/2009 9:06 PM
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/17/09/bongbong-says-marcos-legacy-will-help-him-win
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