Duterte accuses Marcos of being in drug watch list, PDEA denies claim
The rift between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte deepens as the latter accuses the current chief of state of being part of a drug watch list.
On Jan. 28, Malacañang held a "Bagong Pilipinas" kickoff rally at Quirino Grandstand attended by Marcos' supporters. During the event, Marcos continued to give promises of transformation in the country with the launch of the new campaign.
Meanwhile, in Davao, a prayer rally petitioning against the people's initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution was happening on the same day. While Marcos attended the Manila kickoff, his predecessor Duterte was among the prominent figures who took the stage during the Davao rally.
Both the ex-president and his son Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte slammed the president, showing cracks in their alliance.
For his part, the elder Duterte warned Marcos about being ousted like his late father and namesake if he pushed for amending the Constitution.
The ex-president, who is being investigated by the International Criminal Court over his bloody drug war, also accused Marcos of being a "drug addict."
"Noong ako po ay mayor [ng Davao], pinakitaan ako ng evidence ng PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency). Doon sa listahan, nandoon pangalan mo," Duterte claimed.
"Ayaw kong sabihin 'yan kasi magkaibigan tayo. Kung hindi magkaibigan, magkakilala. Eh ikaw eh, pumapasok kayo ng alanganin. Mr. President, baka susunod ka sa dinaanan ng tatay mo. diyan ako takot. Ayaw kong mangyari sa iyo 'yan."
This wouldn't be the first time Duterte accused Marcos of drug use as in 2022, he alleged that an unnamed presidential candidate, who had a politician father and had the best chances of winning the elections, used cocaine.
Responding to the former president's claim, PDEA denied the allegations, saying Marcos was "never on its watch list."
"[PDEA] categorically states that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is not in its watch list, contrary to the statement of former president Rodrigo Duterte," it said on Jan. 29.
The agency added that when Duterte took office, his administration came out with his own "narco-list" but the president's name is also not there.
'PRESIDENT MARCOS IS NOT IN ITS WATCH LIST'
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) January 28, 2024
READ: Contrary to former president Rodrigo Duterte's claim, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) denies that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is included in the agency's watch list. pic.twitter.com/yqpkIiozFV
'Resign'
The younger Duterte did not mince words with the president, saying that he should leave the post if the country is not his priority.
Baste also reminded Marcos that his father allowed the ousted Marcos to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in November 2016 as he expressed disappointment in the ICC entering the Philippines to investigate the former president.
"My father allowed their father to be buried," he said in Bisaya. "I was really hurt. They want to imprison my father."
"Mr. President, if you do not have love or have no aspirations for your country, resign," the younger Duterte added, continuing to criticize the current administration.
In a sign of a deepening rift, the youngest son of former president Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte on Sunday called for the resignation of President Marcos at the Hakbang ug Maisug Leaders Forum in Davao City.
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) January 29, 2024
READ: https://t.co/r9tMq6sBiy pic.twitter.com/x7MbGKW4Rn
Earlier in January, Marcos told the ICC that they may visit the country but that the government will not assist or cooperate in their investigation into the war on drugs.
Meanwhile, Marcos' 2022 running mate Vice President Sara Duterte attended both rallies on Sunday.