Duterte not abandoning PDP-Laban

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte is not abandoning ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party in the 2019 midterm elections.

Malacañang said the President reassured PDP-Laban members of his full support as “we move forward in realizing our dream of building a stronger and more prosperous nation.”

“I am PDP,” Duterte declared before the party leadership assembly at the GSIS Financial Center on Roxas Boulevard last Friday.

Duterte called on its members to continue working to realize the political party’s dream to build a better Philippines.

“I trust that every member of PDP-Laban will be with me as we bring about real and lasting change for the sake of our people and our democratic institutions, and for our children and their children to come,” he said.

Setting aside the leadership issues among some of its prominent members, Duterte lauded PDP-Laban for being a “principled party” and encouraged its members to maintain the party’s integrity. 

At the same event, Duterte underscored the need to think about the public interest in the party’s endeavors. Public interest must be preserved and protected at all costs, he added. 

Duterte, also PDP-Laban over-all chairman, renewed his commitment to have a clean and honest 2019 election.

“It will be clean. The votes will be cast and will be counted correctly,” he said.

Duterte added his administration will not allow intimidation and vote-buying during the mid-term elections. He also emphasized that everyone, regardless of political affilitation, will be treated fairly. 

Duterte said the proper government agencies will be tapped to ensure the conduct of an orderly and peaceful election.

He said the police will be allowed to establish checkpoints nationwide in a bid to discourage election-related violence. 

Duterte also expressed his intent to limit the number of security men and firearms of candidates.

“I will limit the firearms to only two. Uniformed security, only two,” he said.

“You must surrender your excess firearms. Do not go around in excess of about two. But we will assign every candidate security,” the President said.

Duterte added he will issue the directive to all, including the members of the PDP-Laban. About 300 people composed of the party’s members and invited guests attended the event last Friday.

Possible candidates

The party assembly also came up with a list of eight “possible” candidates who will most likely run for the Senate in next year’s mid-term elections.

Party president Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III identified the eight candidates, who he said were introduced during the leadership assembly on Friday night.

These are Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, presidential adviser on political affairs Francis Tolentino, Makati City Rep. Monsour del Rosario, Quirino Rep. Dakila Cua, Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, presidential spokesman Harry Roque and Pimentel himself.

Pimentel said these were the “very possible” party senatorial candidates, meaning they are all interested in running for senator.

Last month, Pimentel said there were 19 names being considered by PDP Laban for its senatorial slate, excluding the five senators allied with the administration who are all eligible for reelection.

Apart from the eight “very possible” candidates, the initial list of potentials include Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez, Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, singer Freddie Aguilar and former broadcast journalist Jiggy Manicad, all members of PDP-Laban.

Then there are the “friends of the party” led by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, actor Robin Padilla, former senator Lito Lapid, former Interior secretary Rafael Alunan, columnist Ramon Tulfo and Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano.

The five senators allied with the administration are Joseph Victor Ejercito, Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar, Sonny Angara and Nancy Binay.

The list was submitted by Pimentel to Duterte, who serves as chairman of the party, in a letter where he sought for guidance in finalizing the party’s slate.

Duterte attended the leadership meeting, with Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, party secretary general, and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, party vice chairman, also in attendance. – With Marvin Sy, Edith Regalado