Marcoses studying Bongbong’s poll bid

By Liezle BasaInigo and Freddie G. Lazaro

BATAC CITY — The Marcoses said during their family reunion last week that they are still undecided on whether or not to field Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. in the presidential race next year, but the people of Pangasinan are already highly anticipating that he announces his presidential bid in Mangaldan town when he visits on Sept. 27.

Former First Lady now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda R. Marcos said Sunday her family members are carefully studying the possibilities if ever Bongbong will run for a higher post in the forthcoming elections.

The people of Ilocos Norte and the Marcos loyalists were expecting a pronouncement from the Marcoses on the occasion of the 98th birth anniversary of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos Sept. 11 that the senator in the family would run either for president or vice president.

The same people waited for a big announcement that day, when Bongbong celebrated his 58th birthday, but only Mrs. Marcos spoke on the issue with reporters.

“We are studying very carefully if he (Sen. Marcos) can do the job well – and not only studying whether he runs or not – because it’s not the matter of running for president but a question: ‘Can you solve the problems of the country?,’” Mrs. Marcos said.

“The decision is not only for the good of the family but for the good of the people,” she added.

In Pangasinan, La Union Vice Gov. Aida Aspiras said anticipation is high among her provincemates for the visit of Sen. Marcos on September 27 when he inducts officers of the Mangaldan Federation of Civil Society Organization at the Trish Hotel.

The senator, to be accompanied by his wife, Atty. Liza Araneta-Marcos, will be the special guest of federation president Dr. Jose Soriano, also the head of the Volunteers Against Corruption for the Uprightness and Upliftment of Mangaldan (VACUUM).

Big shots will be welcoming Bongbong, among them former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., former Gov. Vicente Millora, Party-list Rep. Jonathan Dela Cruz and his wife, Gov. Amado Espino Jr., Rep. Gina de Venecia, Mayor Bona de Vera, Vice Mayor Manny Casupang, other provincial and municipal officials and teachers.

Many in Pangasinan are hopeful that Marcos, who is set to visit La Union and Ilocos Sur, would announce his bid for the presidency in next year’s elections.