SAME FOOTSTEPS? | Marcos’ youngest son to undergo legislative training as Romualdez’s intern

January 30, 2023 , 01:08 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(January 30, 2023) – President Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s youngest son, who was first introduced to lawmakers as a “special assistant” to the House Speaker, was hired as an intern in his uncle’s office to undergo training on legislative processes, the leader of the House of Representatives said on Monday.

In a statement, House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s office said William Vincent Marcos has been working there since last Monday. Romualdez will also “supervise and oversee” the training of his nephew.

“(Marcos) will be mentored on the daily grind at the House of Representatives, including the role and interaction of various committees and departments on the legislative processes, as well as strategies to help expedite the passage of vital bills and other measures for the benefit of the Filipino people,” read the statement.

Last Wednesday, the presidential son attended the meeting of the minority bloc at the lower chamber. Several lawmakers confirmed in media reports that the younger Marcos was introduced to them as a special assistant. His nameplate, as shown in photos, also reflected this designation.

In a Facebook post, 4Ps Rep. Nonoy Libanan said they were “delighted to have welcomed the president’s youngest son” in the minority bloc’s meeting where they discussed their priority agenda for this year. Libanan, who hails from Eastern Visayas, heads the minority bloc.

Before this, the younger Marcos also met with Romualdez, Libanan, Majority Leader Rep. Mannix Dalipe, and other lawmakers last January 23.

“We must stress that even if the majority and minority blocs have differing views, we in the House can all agree to disagree without being disagreeable,” said Libanan in a statement on Sunday.

Some critics questioned Vinny’s qualifications that could justify his position under his uncle’s office. Others stressed that family connections should not be the primary consideration in granting posts, especially when it comes to government offices.

In a previous interview, the younger Marcos said he wanted to “stay out of the public eye” because it was “not (his) thing” as a software engineer. Reports said he previously worked at Singapore before returning to the country for the presidential campaign of his father during the 2022 elections.

The 25-year-old Marcos appears to be following the footsteps of his eldest brother, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, who also worked as a legislative staff of Romualdez. Last year, the eldest presidential son gunned for a legislative seat and was even hailed as the senior deputy majority leader despite being a neophyte congressman.

Marcos Jr. has yet to comment on the issue. In a recent interview, he denied “grooming” Sandro into becoming a president in the future despite the latter’s frequent attendance in his trips abroad.

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