PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. simply chuckled at the recent verbal accusation of former President Rodrigo Duterte, saying that such pronouncements against him could have been prompted by the alleged use of a powerful opioid painkiller.
Over the weekend, the former president accused his successor of using drugs and even warned him against following in the footsteps of his father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who was ousted in a popular uprising.
He also called out moves to amend the 1987 Constitution.
“I think it’s the fentanyl,” Marcos said.
Duterte, who was criticized heavily for his bloody war on drugs, said in 2016 that he used to take fentanyl due to a spinal injury from motorcycle accidents.
“Fentanyl is the strongest painkiller that you can buy. It’s highly addictive, and it has very serious side effects. PRRD has been taking the drug for a very long time now… I hope his doctors take better care of him,” Marcos said.
Pressed further by media, Marcos said that he would no longer comment on the issue, saying he did not want it dignified.
Earlier, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency refuted the claims by Duterte that Marcos had been placed on their drug watch list.
Vietnam bound
Despite the accusations, President Marcos Jr. departed for Vietnam for a two-day state visit.
Marcos said the visit is important “to reaffirm the commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations” between Vietnam and the Philippines.
The President is expected to meet the leaders of Vietnam, including President Thưởng, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, and National Assembly of Vietnam Chairman Vương Đình Huệ to discuss cooperation on various areas.
“Maritime cooperation will be one of the cornerstones of the strategic partnership which we are going to forge, and we hope to strengthen this aspect during my visit to promote peace and stability in our region,” he said.
“I will also discuss cooperation in defense and security, trade and investments, education, tourism, as well as regional and multilateral issues of concern,” he added.
