Former President Rodrigo Duterte criticized the rising price of rice and took a veiled jab at President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., suggesting that the leader is “bangag” (high on drugs) during a PDP-Laban senatorial proclamation rally at Club Filipino in San Juan.
Duterte lamented the government’s failure to control inflation, saying, “It appears he [Marcos] couldn’t bring down the price. The immediate, urgent need is really to solve the price of rice.”
Beyond economic concerns, Duterte revived his drug allegations against Marcos, claiming that long-term substance use could affect his leadership. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), however, reiterated that Marcos is not on their drug watch list.
The event also marked the endorsement of PDP-Laban’s senatorial slate, which includes Bong Go, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Rodante Marcoleta, and Pastor Apollo Quiboloy—who was absent due to detention at Pasig City Jail.
The Palace has yet to issue a response regarding Duterte’s latest accusations.