Guessing game continues on PRRD’s anointed candidate

MANILA – Acting presidential spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar clarified Friday that his recent statement on the presidential candidate who might get President Rodrigo Duterte’s support was based on his instincts.

Andanar issued the clarification after he hinted in an interview with a news website channel that the presidential aspirant whose name contains the letter “O” might get Duterte’s endorsement.

“Talagang lumaki iyong istorya (That became big news). Again, that was one of the fast talk questions. So, I didn’t know the questions ahead of time. So, I need to just trust my instincts on which letter I should mention,” Andanar said in an interview with CNN Philippines program “The Source”.

All 10 candidates running for president have the letter “O” — Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, former national security adviser Norberto Gonzales, labor leader Leody de Guzman, Lanao del Sur businessman Faisal Mangondato, and Dr. Jose Montemayor Jr.

“That wasn’t from the President – the comment there. That was only from me,” Andanar said.

Until now, it remains “difficult” to know whether or not Duterte would endorse a presidential candidate, Andanar said.

“The President holds his cards very close to his chest that no one can see it. We’ve had the President for five years and seven months and he does that all the time,” Andanar said.

“He has his own playbook and his playbook evolves all the time. It’s so difficult to catch him, even if you are there in proximity,” he added.

Duterte earlier backed the presidential bid of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who later withdrew.

During the inauguration of a farmers’ market in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur on March 4, Duterte told the crowd to choose the Ilocano leader they favor.

Although Duterte did not mention any candidate in particular, several of his Ilocano Cabinet members are running for the Senate while Marcos is the only Ilocano vying to occupy the highest post.