Representative Michael Defensor of the Anaklasugan party-list urged Malacanang on Sunday to consider providing Presidential Security Group (PSG) security to former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (BBM), claiming that he is the only major presidential candidate who has received no personal protection from the government because he is not in the office.
Defensor is running for mayor of Quezon City under the slate of BBM.
“The problem with our setup here is that if you are not an incumbent official and you run for president or vice president, you have no government protection at all, unlike in the United States,” Defensor noted.
“In America, all presidential and vice-presidential candidates—whether they are current officeholders or not—are automatically safeguarded by the U.S. Secret Services, the same agency defending their sitting president against potential harm or attack,” he added.
Marcos Jr. served as a senator for six years and as governor of Ilocos Norte for nine years. However, he is no longer in office.
Other presidential and vice-presidential bets, Defensor noted, have their own bodyguards, so he is unconcerned.
“The Palace should at least offer to provide Bongbong a small PSG team. It is up to him if he accepts or declines the offer,” he said.
Defensor seeks PSG protection for Marcos Jr.
“We are not worried about presidential candidate Leni Robredo’s personal safety because she already enjoys official protection as the sitting vice president,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) national leadership reiterated its support for Marcos’ candidacy on Saturday.
The party disputed rumors that certain members of its Baguio branch had switched their allegiance to another candidate during a press conference in Baguio City.
“This is to inform the public that there is no truth to the publicized withdrawal of support of the KBL members in Baguio City,” a portion of the statement signed by KBL national president Efren A Rafanan Sr. read.
“We want to assure you that our officers and members are fully in support of BBM,” it added.
The group felt “helpless” in the scenario, according to the KBL statement, because a tarpaulin depicting the image of Manila Mayor and presidential candidate Isko Moreno was unfurled behind them as they were lifting their KBL appointment papers.
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