Marcos Delays Presidential Endorsement Ahead of 2028 Polls

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has made one thing clear about the May 8, 2028 presidential election: he is in no rush to anoint a successor. “Not soon,” he said when asked about endorsing candidates, underscoring that in politics, as in economics, “timing is everything.”

Speaking at a recent forum of regional editors and economic opinion leaders, Mr. Marcos disclosed that conversations with potential presidential aspirants are already underway. But he signaled that any public declaration of support would come much later — a calculated pause that keeps allies attentive, rivals guessing, and the political field fluid.

A Deliberate Silence Ahead of 2028

The President, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a second term under Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, will leave office in 2028. The next national and local elections, scheduled for May 8, 2028, will determine not only his successor but also reshape control of Congress and local governments across the archipelago.

For now, Mr. Marcos appears intent on delaying any endorsement, even as jockeying intensifies within and outside his coalition. “We have some people that we are talking to… some of them [said], ‘No, I do not want…’” he said, offering a glimpse into quiet consultations that remain off the public record.

In Philippine politics, a presidential endorsement can redefine alliances overnight. But an early move can also lock a leader into a fragile coalition or alienate factions prematurely. By withholding support, Mr. Marcos retains leverage.

From UniTeam to Fracture

The President’s caution comes against the backdrop of an unraveling alliance. In May 2022, Mr. Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte secured a decisive victory under the UniTeam banner — the first majority ticket since 1987 — running on a message of unity and continuity.

By the 2025 midterm elections, however, political lines had shifted. Mr. Marcos led the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, which secured six Senate seats. Ms. Duterte backed her own slate, DuterTen, winning three seats, while the opposition coalition KiBam claimed two.

The once-formidable tandem publicly fractured. Senator Imee Marcos distanced herself from coalition lines, and Ms. Duterte announced plans to run for president in 2028, later apologizing for supporting Mr. Marcos in 2022.

Asked about her candidacy, the President declined comment.

Economics Over Politics

If Mr. Marcos is withholding names, he is not withholding criteria. At the forum, he outlined what he considers the essential trait of the next president: economic competence.

“Number one, somebody who understands economics because that’s the first thing, that’s the life of the person who understands how to create jobs, who understands how to keep the inflation rate down, who understands how to make food supply a given,” he said.

He added: “Those are the kind of people that we need, the people who are actually thinking about not politics, but how to make the country better.”

The emphasis reflects ongoing national concerns over job creation, underemployment and inflation — pressures felt from Metro Manila to rural provinces. While no official economic data were presented in the context of endorsements, the President’s remarks point to bread-and-butter issues as the lens through which he intends to judge would-be successors.

The message is also strategic. By framing the 2028 contest around economic stewardship, Mr. Marcos anchors the debate to his administration’s central policy narrative: productivity, stability and food security.

Legal Guardrails and Political Calculus

Election laws also shape the terrain. Republic Act No. 7166 and related COMELEC regulations govern campaign periods and prohibit premature campaigning. While private political discussions are not barred, formal campaign activities are tightly regulated.

Earlier this month, Malacañang described as “untimely for now” speculation that Mr. Marcos might endorse former Vice President Leni Robredo for 2028 — a scenario that would dramatically realign political blocs.

Such statements suggest the Palace is wary of appearing to influence a race still more than two years away. An early endorsement could invite legal scrutiny or provoke accusations of undue advantage.

Uncertainty for Voters, Stability for Governance

For ordinary Filipinos, the President’s delay offers little immediate drama — and perhaps some reassurance. Without an official anointed candidate, the administration’s focus remains on governing rather than campaigning.

The absence of a declared heir also extends uncertainty. Political operators, donors and local leaders must navigate a landscape without a fixed North Star. Alliances may form and dissolve in the months ahead, especially as prospective candidates weigh viability and loyalty.

In this interlude, Mr. Marcos holds the clock. By insisting that “timing is everything,” he signals that his eventual endorsement — when it comes — will not be casual. In Philippine politics, timing can alter destiny. For now, the President appears content to let the suspense build.