This composite image shows former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and President Rodrigo Duterte. FILE PHOTO

Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos on Friday disclosed that he has engaged in informal discussion with President Rodrigo Duterte’s ruling political party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) two rival faction on the 2022 national and local elections

Marcos was nominated by a party Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) founded by his late father former President Ferdinand E. Marcos as their presidential candidate.  But he said he was still seeking alliances for next year and was “very, very close to announcing” which national post he would seek.

Marcos said he was talking with “everybody who is in the mix,” including the Duterte-backed PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso and the rival group led by Senators Manny Pacquiao and Koko Pimentel.

“Iyong (the) PDP-Laban, yes, it’s true there are no formal talks,” said Marcos.

“But there had been many, many informal talks because on both sides of the PDP-Laban, on the Pimentel side and the Cusi side, puro kaibigan ko naman lahat ‘yan e,” he said.

“Matagal na kaming nag-uusap… It’s something that’s just ongoing.”

Marcos, in an online forum, said he was close to announcing his decision to run for a national post.

“Patapos na ang usapan. We are very close to coming to a decision that I will announce very soon,” he said, which coincided with the KBL national convention.

The younger Marcos tried to seek the vice presidency in 2016 but lost to Vice President Leni Robredo.