Sara-Bongbong File Photo

Senator Imee Marcos on Thursday equated the Sara Duterte-Bongbong Marcos tandem, a perfect team up for 2022 elections despite so many names being floated to be Sara’s running mate.

“There are so many rumors flying around. As you know, there are so many names that are being bandied about also from Lakas-CMD as vice presidentiables. So everything is possible,” Marcos said during a TV (ANC) interview.

“But I suppose, the most obvious thing is if the Dutertes have the solid south, we are assumed to have the solid north, the Marcoses, so parang (that is a) marriage made in heaven ‘yan. So political wisdom says, that you thought of the numbers, it looks good, like a really solid tandem,” she added.

In June, a photo circulated showing Imee, Bongbong, and House Majority Floor Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez having a lunch with Lakas-CMD chairman emeritus and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Romualdez, who was also rumored to be one of the possible running mates of Mayor Sara should she gun for the presidency, said they have discussed the “plans of everyone” during the lunch meeting.

Romualdez and Imee Marcos are known to be close to the presidential daughter. Mayor Sara had campaigned for both of them during the 2019 elections.

In July, Sara Duterte also met Arroyo for “further consultations.”

Mayor Sara, however, did not divulge further details on her meeting with the former president. Although trh mayor said she open for the possibility of a presidential bid.

While a Sara-Bongbong tandem is being floated, Imee, in the same interview, said her brother is considering a presidential bid in next year’s elections for now.

“No it’s not. For all intents and purposes, he has his own setup and he’s running for president at the present time, but not officially declared but he’s walking around with a possibility of a top spot,” the senator said when asked if Bongbong is no longer eyeing the presidency.

“Well, my brother is fairly easy going fellow and I believe he’s happy to talk to everyone and right now, people are saying that he should run for the presidency, others say the vice presidency, there are others who say ‘mag-Senate ka na lang (run for the Senate)’ e sa kapatid ko open lang siya (but my brother is just keeping his choices open). Sabi ko nga sa kanya ‘e magpalakas na tayo,’” Imee said.

But Imee said she doesn’t personally support Bongbong’s possible presidential run.

“No. I don’t [support it]. The truth, as his manang? As his older sister? I think it’s very very difficult,” she said.

Meanehile, Senator Manny Pacquiao will run for president in Eleksyon 2022 if Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte will be the administration’s “anointed one,” Pacquiao spokesperson Monico Puentevella said Thursday.

“It’s not yet October 8 but if it is Sara who will be the anointed one, he will go for it,” Puentevella said in an separate TV (CNN-PH) interview.

Sara, however, has yet to decide on her political plans for 2022, although she said in July that she is open to seeking the presidency.

“The only thing I know is, if he runs for president, maybe you have seen his last fight. If he decides not to run in one month, then he will fight again,” he said.

Puentevella also disclosed that Pacquiao will discuss the 2022 elections with Vice President Leni Robredo first once he comes back from the United States.

“After he comes back, we will talk to opposition leaders, the administration friends and leaders then he will decide with his political ambition,” he added.

Among the political personalities Pacquiao will discuss the 2022 elections with are Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Panfilo Lacson.

Lacson and Sotto have already announced that they will run for president and vice president, respectively, in the upcoming elections.

Puentevella also set the record straight that Pacquiao is not considering a vice presidential bid in the 2022 polls.