MANILA- Unlike his successor, former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is confident that Vice President Leni Robredo can lead the country.

The former chief executive made the remark on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Ninoy Aquino Day rites.

“I’m very confident that she can,” he said in response to queries from reporters.

Aquino's comment comes after President Rodrigo Duterte said he would rather have the likes of former Sen. Bongbong Marcos or Sen. Francis Escudero as his replacement in case he steps down.

“I think deep in my heart, if you follow the succession and Robredo takes over, hindi niya kaya (she can't do it)," Duterte had said.

"Kung na sino lang sana diyan, in the likes of Escudero or Bongbong Marcos,” he added.

(If only it were the likes of Escudero or Bongbong Marcos.)

• Duterte prefers Bongbong, Chiz as replacement instead of Leni
• Duterte prefers military junta over Robredo

Robredo's camp, however, asserted that the vice president is fit to lead the country and should be given a chance to prove herself.

"VP Robredo deserves the right to prove her qualifications and abilities to be president in her own style and approach on current problems of the country..." her lawyer, Romulo Macalintal said.

• Robredo lawyer to Duterte: VP Leni qualified to be president

-with a report from Sherrie Ann Torres, ABS-CBN News