For Palace, Marcos joining VP derby to benefit voters

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Tuesday welcomed the decision of Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to run for vice president in the 2016 elections.

For Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., Marcos's participation in the vice presidential race will benefit voters.

"Our people are provided with a wide latitude of choice and an opportunity to compare platforms for governance and track records," Coloma said in an e-mail.

"We trust that the sovereign electorate will choose the most qualified and most competent among the aspirants," he added.

Coloma said the 2016 race that Marcos has joined is a "robust field of vice presidential hopefuls" that includes Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and Sens. Alan Cayetano, Antonio Trillanes IV and Francis Escudero.

Marcos, the son and namesake of former President Ferdinand Marcos, announced his vice presidential bid on Monday night.

"I have decided to put my political fortune in the hands of the Filipino people. I humbly ask them to judge whether or not I am worthy of their trust to be vice president on the strength of my performance as a public servant in the last 26 years," Marcos said in a statement.

At the same time, Marcos dismissed as mere speculations the reports that he would team up with leading presidential candidates such as Vice President Jejomar Binay.

While there were initial talks between their supporters, Marcos said he did not share with Binay a common platform of government.

"Unfortunately, it would be difficult for me to tame our political differences," he said.

As for Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos said the local official promised to support his vice presidential bid. - Louis Bacani