Hands on learning from House Majority Leader Romualdez:

FORMER Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday night said his British-educated eldest son Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos is very much qualified to run for a congressional district in Ilocos

Norte and has been learning a lot about Congress’ legislative mill under the guidance of House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez.

Marcos said his cousin, Romualdez has been playing a powerful role in mentoring Sandro regarding the daily grind of working at the House of Representatives, including strategies to expedite the passage of President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte and House leadership’s priority measures.

“Marami na siyang natutunan, sabi ko nga kung matuloy kang congressman very qualified ka na. Mas qualified ka doon sa mga ibang bagong pasok na walang pinagdaanan na ganyan. Interesado siya ng tumakbo,” Marcos, a former congressman and governor of Ilocos Norte, told Tapatan ni Tunying on YouTube hosted by veteran television and radio host Anthony Taberna.

“For the last two years, si Sandro nagta-trabaho sa opis ng Majority Floor Leader sa House of Representatives. Boss niya si Cong. Martin, si Majo or Congressman Martin Romualdez. Sabi ko ano marami ka naming natututunan? Sabi niya alam ko na ang patakbo dito at alam ko na kung papaano ang ibat-ibang style ng mga congressmen,” Marcos said.

While Sandro has yet to make his final decision to join the political arena, Marcos said he and his nephew, Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc, son of Senator Imee Marcos, have been helping Sandro about the dynamics of local politics.

“Mukhang inisip niyang mabuti at tinitingnan nga niya na baka puwede siya sa darating na eleksiyon. Puwede siyang tumakbo bilang kongresista sa 1st District ng Ilocos Norte,” Marcos said.

“Although hindi pa siya nakakapag-finalize, umiikot-ikot na siya at tinitingnan niya [ang distrito]. Siyempre nandiyan naman ako at nandiyan ang kanyang pinsan, si Governor Manotoc, at least naga-guide namin siya,” Marcos said.

Marcos said he is very proud of Sandro who earned his master’s degree in Development Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

“Oo nagkataon ang kanyang masters ay developmental economics kaya sabi ko bagay na bagay na turuan niya kaming lahat para makagawa ng plano after COVID (coronavirus disease-19) kasi iyung mga economics naming obsolete na. Siya ilang taon pa lang nag-graduate, lahat ng mga libro niya binabasa ko at lahat ng mga essay niya binabasa ko rin,” Marcos said.

Sandro is the eldest of three sons of Marcos and Atty. Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos.

He is the grandson of the late President Ferdinand Marcos and former First Lady and Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Romualdez Marcos.