By Arjay L. Balinbin, Reporter
On the 35th death anniversary of his father, former president Benigno S.C. Aquino III said he is “confident” that his fellow Liberal Party (LP) member Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo is capable of running the country once President Rodrigo R. Duterte steps down.
“I’m very confident that she can,” Mr. Aquino said in a chance interview with reporters during the commemoration of the 35th death anniversary of former senator Benigno Simeon “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. at the Manila Memorial Park on Tuesday morning, Aug. 21.
Mr. Aquino said he hopes Mr. Duterte will follow the constitutional rule on succession once he decides to vacate the presidency.
“Sana yung Chief Executive na nagpapatupad ng lahat ng ating batas, isa na ang Saligang Batas, ang magsabi ng constitutional succession. Iwan na lang dun, kesa iwan sa personalities,” he said.
(I hope that the Chief Executive who implements all the laws, including our Constitution, will be the one to say that he will follow the constitutional succession. Let our laws work on that instead of leaving it up to personalities.)
Last week, the Palace said Mr. Duterte may step down once former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. wins in his electoral protest against Ms. Robredo.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. said in a press briefing on Aug. 16 that “perhaps” Mr. Duterte “will make true his word that he will step down” if Mr. Marcos wins the said protest case, because he is worried that if the constitutional succession will be followed, the successor (Ms. Robredo) “may not be qualified.”
“If you follow the succession and Robredo takes over, hindi niya kaya (she can’t handle it)….” Mr. Duterte said in his remarks at his dinner with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) on Aug. 14.

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