Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte vehemently denied accusing President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. as a "drug addict".
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, February 28, Duterte claimed he perhaps had uttered that the president is taking drugs but never called him a "drug addict".
"Si Presidente [Bongbong Marcos]? Wala akong sinabing ganyan, even if you kill me a thousand times, I never said that. Maybe taking drugs, pero kung sabihin mong adik, wala akong sinabing gano'n," he stressed.
The former president feared that Marcos might order his execution due to the labeling.
"Wala ako sinabi Patayin ako ni Marcos nyan. Maawa ka naman sa akin. Matanda na 'ko. If I can say to Marcos, I can say it for all. Don't tell me you've never taken anti-biotic, aspirin, they're all drugs," Marcos said.
"Pero wala akong sinabi. Patayin ako ni Marcos. Takot pa naman ako, matanda na ako. Gusto ko pa mabuhay," he added.
During the prayer rally against Charter change in January, Duterte accused Marcos as a drug addict, calling him "bangag" or high on drugs.
He even alleged that Marcos' drug suppliers were his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
"Alam mo parliament, ang bisyo niyan, karamihan galing kay Liza Marcos pati kay [Martin] Romualdez. Bongbong, bangag 'yan. That's why, sinasabi ko na sa inyo ngayon, si Bongbong bangag noon, at ngayo'y presidente na, bangag pa rin ang presidente," the former president said.
