President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo was the only legitimate successor to the presidency as provided for in the Constitution.

Duterte made the remark as he laughed off the self-proclamation of lawyer Ely Pamatong as the President of the Philippines.

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He said Pamatong was “pretender to the throne.”

“Kaya sasabihin ko sa inyo na may problema rin tayong isa because there is a pretender to the throne, assuming that I die within maybe tomorrow, next year, or next month,” Duterte said in a speech on Wednesday during the celebration of the 120th founding anniversary of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

Earlier, he also led the groundbreaking ceremony of the new PSG Station Hospital Compound at Malacañang Park. He was assisted by Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial and Col. Lope Dagoy, PSG chief.

“There are two claimants to the presidency. Ang isa, nag-organize na at he has claimed that he has deposed me, presidential candidate Amato – si Pamatong,” he added.

Duterte dismissed the self-proclamation of Pamatong, saying it was only Robredo who could replace him should the presidency become vacant.

“Sabi niya (Pamatong), nag-takeover na siya,” Duterte said. “Eh ngayon, nandiyan si Leni. Baka magkamali kayo ng kampo ha. Dito tayo sa Constitution. There is a successor there.”

Robredo is facing an electoral protest before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal after losing vice presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. questioned the results of the elections. /atm/rga

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