Cayetano vows loyalty to Duterte

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday said he will support Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte if the mayor runs as president in 2016 even if he will not be chosen as Duterte’s running mate.

”I will not change my loyalty or choice for president just because he will not choose me. Whether or not he will choose me, I will support Mayor Duterte,” Cayetano said.

A Nacionalista Party (NP) member, Cayetano said he might run independently.

”Political parties are not machineries to victories. It’s the people who will choose,” Cayetano said.

NP is now on "freezone" as three of its members - Cayetano, Sens. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos - are all vying for vice presidency.

Aside from Cayetano, Marcos was also rumored to become a possible running mate of  Duterte in the 2016 polls.

Although Duterte earlier said he eyes Cayetano as his running mate if ever he decides to run, he was also reportedly meeting with Marcos.

Meanwhile, Cayetano said the “genuine public clamor” to convince Duterte to run for president will eventually succeed.

Cayetano cited that the Davao mayor had several supporters who pledged to help him in his campaign.

”I’m confident that he will make the right decision. It’s the people and not party nor survey that is pushing him to run. You can go to restaurants and six of 10 people are calling for Mayor Duterte to run,” Cayetano said.

”Many people have expressed willingness to help and campaign for him,” he added.

Last September 29, Cayetano announced his vice presidential bid in Davao City where he met with Duterte afterwards.

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