2022 national elections: Cebu execs eye Duterte for VP

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu’s political leaders allied with the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) are urging President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte to run for vice president in the 2022 elections.

The call was made after they adopted Manila mayors’ resolution asking PDP-Laban chairman, Duterte, to run for vice president in next year’s national and local polls.

“We the undersigned leaders and members of PDP-Laban Party hereby resolved to convince our party chairman, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, to represent the PDP-Laban as its vice presidential candidate in the national elections in 2022,” the resolution read.

They signed yesterday the resolution and manifesto, indicating their support for Duterte.

Among those who signed the resolution were Congresswomen Emmarie Ouano-Dizon of Sixth District and Janice Salimbangon of Fourth District; Provincial Board Members Jonkie Ouano, Glenn Soco and Jerome Librando; and Vice Mayors Teresa Alegado of Consolacion town, Celedonio Sitoy of Lapu-Lapu City, and Rex Gerona of Tabuelan town.

Mayors Gerard Anthony Gullas (Talisay City), Sun Shimura (Daanbantayan town), Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho (Cordova town), Joannes Alegado (Consolacion town), Kristine Vanessa Chiong (Naga City), Mercedita Apura (Carcar City), and Jonas Cortes (Mandaue City), were also among the 18 local chief executives who signed the measure.

“We believe that with President Duterte’s steadfast leadership and the strong public support for his agenda of change, the government will be able to expeditiously and effectively deliver our people, our communities, our economy, back to good health,” read the manifesto.

PDP-Laban vice chairman Alfonso Cusi, in a meeting with Cebu leaders yesterday, said that they want continuity of Duterte’s programs and projects, such as the 10-Point Socio-Economic Agenda and the ongoing COVID-19 action plan of government, including the Philippine National Deployment and Vaccination Plan for COVID-19 Vaccines.

“The year 2020, however, brought us convergence of natural disasters - countless typhoons, a devastating Taal Volcano eruption, and an unforeseen worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, setting back government’s efforts, especially its economic growth targets and infrastructure development plans,” the manifesto further read.

By continuing Duterte’s economic programs and infrastructure projects, the PDP-Laban members believed that the country’s recovery from the crippling effects of COVID-19 pandemic is “ensured.”

“With the impending transition of power in 2022, we further commit to support a transition of leadership that will guarantee continuity of President Duterte's socio-economic agenda," the manifesto read.

“As such, we leaders and members of PDP-Laban Party, will continue to unite behind the banner of our Party Chairman (Duterte),” it added.

Go-Duterte?

Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas said it was also agreed during the meeting that they will support whoever Duterte chooses as running mate.

“What I know for a fact, he (Duterte) wants Senator Bong Go to run for president. We will fully support the tandem of Senator Bong for president and President Duterte for vice president,” Dino said.

PDP-Laban Cebu Province president Nixon Dizon said yesterday’s gathering was not only attended by PDP-Laban members but also by other local political parties and supporters of the Duterte administration.

Dino said other Cebu officials, who failed to atend the gathering due to prior commitments, are also set to sign the resolution/manifesto. — KQD (FREEMAN)