Bongbong keeps 2016 poll options wide open

Citing the “general sentiment” of the public that life and the economy were much better under the Marcos administration is what’s making him consider running for president in 2016, Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said yesterday.

Marcos made the admission in a televised interview, where he said he is now in talks with various groups, including his own party mates in the Nacionalista Party about running for higher office as the option of running for a reelection at the Senate is no longer being discussed.

The senator said he has yet to decide whether to run for president or vice president. It has been reported that he is being considered by Vice President Jejomar Binay’s running mate in the 2016 elections.

“I think it’s the history in the recent years, the political history in the recent years and the constant refrain na ‘buti pa noong panahon ni Marcos, maginhawa ang buhay, buti pa noong panahon ni Marcos, tinutulungan kami ng pamahalaan, maraming programa, maraming proyekto. Mula noong pinalitan siya, wala na kaming nakitang ganun. Sana maibalik ‘yun.’ (It was much better during the Marcos years, life was much better, the government is helpful, there were many programs and projects. Since he was ousted, we have never seen anything like that before; we want to revive those years). That’s the general sentiment,” Marcos said in an interview over ANC’s Headstart.

What his team is now trying to determine is whether it would be too soon for him to take the risk knowing the negative reputation his father garnered during his presidential term.

‘Anything’s possible’ Asked if he is indeed contemplating on running in tandem with Binay or Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos said he is open to anything at this point.

“I always say this is Philippine politics, you cannot discount the possibility of things you did not imagine would happen would happen. Never say never when it comes to politics. Again, I always go back to the simple principle of keeping your options open,” he said.

He also said that despite his poor performance in presidential surveys, he is unfazed to try and achieve his political plans.

“I always look at surveys as a starting point… That’s precisely what we are trying to determine. Is this the time? Is this the right time? Should we wait? Should we not?” he said.

But as of now, his team, including his political advisers have centered on discussing his possible run for a higher government office.