MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte lightheartedly voiced an interest in the status of the vote recount for the 2016 vice presidential race.

During his speech on Monday, May 28, in Malacañang, Duterte spoke of the recount in relation to his “wish” to resign.

“Tutal gusto ko na lang mag-resign rin eh. Ano ba’ng… ano ba’ng latest count nito kay Bongbong pati kay ano?” he said to a roomful of lawmakers and government officials.

(Anyway, I want to resign. What’s… what’s the latest count with Bongbong and [Vice President Leni Robredo]?)

“Ma-vice president ba talaga ‘yan kasi (Will they be vice president because)…” he said, without finishing the thought.

Votes cast for the 2016 vice presidential race are now being recounted after the filing of an electoral protest by former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr and counter-protest by Robredo.

Marcos is contesting Robredo’s victory, claiming massive cheating during the elections. (READ: TIMELINE: Marcos-Robredo election case)

Marcos and Duterte are known to be good friends since their days as congressmen. The former senator from Ilocos Norte had also initially asked to be Duterte’s running mate in the 2016 elections. (READ: Duterte: If Marcos wins protest, ‘maybe we’ll have new VP’)

Duterte delivered on his promise to allow the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. He has also cited Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, Bongbong’s older sister, as among his campaign donors and political allies. (READ: Duterte hit for ‘absolving’ Bongbong, Imee from Marcos sins) – Rappler.com