PNoy, Mar visit Duterte's turf for LP event

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III and Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II will visit Davao City on Wednesday for yet another "gathering of friends" of the ruling Liberal Party (LP).

Aquino, Roxas and the LP are set to hold the event seen to boost the presidential candidacy of the interior secretary.

The LP event will be staged at 4 p.m. at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City and will be attended by 1,500 people including local officials.

The official media advisory from Malacañang did not indicate if Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will be among the guests.

Duterte, who announced on Monday that he will not run for president, considers himself an Aquino ally. However, he is not in good terms with at least one of Aquino's Cabinet members, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima.

According to the Palace, Aquino will be received by Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario and Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio del Rosario.

During the LP event, a Muslim community leader and beneficiaries of the government's Bottom-Up Budgeting program and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program will give testimonials.

Aquino and Roxas will deliver speeches afterwards.

Before the LP event, Aquino will first inspect road projects in Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental and Samal, Davao Del Norte. He will also be briefed on the infrastructure and tourism projects in the said provinces.

Aquino will then proceed to Teodoro Palma Gil Elementary School in Davao City for a tree-planting activity. He will also answer questions from students. - Louis Bacani