BBM: Talks underway for possible successor

The administration is already talking to potential candidates for the presidency in 2028, President Marcos revealed yesterday as speculations intensified on the possible alliances shaping up for the next elections.

- By ALEXIS ROMERO

Marcos said the next president should be someone who “understands economics,” a nation-builder who “wants to make the Philippines better,” and a leader who is competent, who listens to experts and who loves the country.

When asked whether he has narrowed down the possible candidates for president to about to two or three based on the qualifications he mentioned, Marcos replied: “We have some people that we are talking to.”

Marcos did not mention names, although he noted that it would be more difficult to field someone with no experience in politics.

“When people are working, you cannot limit yourself to (the) government. But of course, it’s much harder to bring to a presidential level someone who has not been involved in politics, ever. It happens, but it’s not that easy, especially in the highly political atmosphere that we have here in the Philippines,” the President said at the ASEAN Editors and Economic Opinion Leaders Forum in Makati.

“It’s not that they don’t like the person; they just don’t know who they are. And to build that up to a presidential level is quite difficult. So you look at people in government and you see who is doing well, who is exceptional. And we have, I'm glad to say, exceptional people in government," he added.

Although people are already talking about the 2028 presidential race, Marcos said he won't be endorsing a candidate anytime soon.

"Not soon. The timing is everything," the Chief Executive stressed.

Marcos made the remark nearly a week after his former runningmateturned-arch critic Vice President Sara Duterte announced her plan to seek the presidency in the 2028 polls.