President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. —From Inquirer file
MANILA, Philippines — It will be better for President Marcos to avoid announcing his preferred candidate for the 2028 presidential elections, as doing so may lead to questions about his administration’s priorities, according to a political science professor.
In an interview with the Inquirer, University of the Philippines (UP) professor Jean Franco said it would not be “good timing” for the President to announce his endorsement amid the ongoing energy crisis, flood control scandal and impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“He might be [accused of] prioritizing politics over urgent issues, because the economy is not good and we have the impeachment trial. The flood control scandal is still there, [and] several people have not been arrested,” Franco said.
A little too early
During a presidential luncheon with the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines on Friday, Marcos said he would be endorsing a candidate in the 2028 election. But he added he had no one in mind at the moment, adding that “it’s a little early for that.”
According to the President, his preferred candidate will be someone who will “continue what we have begun in terms of the anticorruption measures.”
So far, only Duterte has announced her intention to run for President in 2028, while Sen. Risa Hontiveros only said she was “open” to running for the position.
Because of her declaration, Duterte has placed herself at risk of “criticisms and negative press,” Franco said.
“However, I think she was compelled by circumstances because of the impeachment trial. She needs to frame the trial as preventing her from being a candidate in the 2028 elections,” she noted.
“Currently, she’s still the most viable candidate in the 2028 elections, although her numbers are slowly eroding,” Franco added.
The UP professor said that developments in the flood control cases and impeachment trial would “shape how people will vote in the 2028 elections,” and whoever emerges as a “promising leader out of these events will have a good chance” of winning the polls. /cb