3 Dutertes running for senator? It's a free country, says President

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, with House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes and Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, check the progress of the construction of the Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli project in Manila, on June 23, 2024. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is unfazed by the plan of former president Rodrigo Duterte and his two sons -- Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte -- to run for senator in 2025, saying "it's still early." Speaking to reporters at the National Employment Summit at the Manila Hotel on Thursday, the President said it was the right of the former president and his two sons to "do whatever they want." "It's a free country. They're allowed to do whatever they want. I really have no reaction to it besides, it's still early," Marcos said during a chance interview.

Speaking in English and Filipino, Marcos said a lot can happen between now and 2028. "And the only real situation will become clear in October during the filing," he said.

The President said that it would be during this time that "we will really see whether they will really run, who will really run, who, who will they go to, which parties are involved, which parties are in alliance." Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio said that her father and her two siblings were all running for the Senate in 2025.

She said that Mayor Duterte was even planning to run for president during the 2028 elections.