SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan, Philippines — President Duterte hit the campaign trail yesterday by endorsing his senatorial candidates.
Sen. Manny Pacquiao, PDP-Laban national campaign manager, introduced the five party candidates led by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III,
Maguindanao Rep. Zahid Mangudadatu, former national police chief Ronald dela Rosa, former presidential aide Christopher Go and former presidential adviser Francis Tolentino.?Pacquiao also introduced the guest candidates – Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano, Sen. Cynthia Villar, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, Sen. Sonny Angara and Sen. JV Ejercito.
Pacquiao also introduced local candidates Christian Natividad as governor for Bulacan, Anjo Mendoza as vice governor as well as the provincial congressional and mayoral candidates.?Duterte, national chairman of the ruling party, separately raised the hands of the PDP-Laban slate and guest candidates.
Duterte also took the opportunity to speak on the campaign against illegal drugs.
He also hit back at the Church, branding it as “the most hypocritical society in the country.”
This developed as Malacañang warned the public against groups using the name of the President to solicit campaign funds.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte has not ordered or authorized agencies to raise funds for the senatorial candidates he is endorsing.
“For everyone’s information and guidance, the President has not authorized anyone in either the private or public sector, including government agencies like the Bureau of Customs, to resort to such illegal undertakings,” Panelo said.
Panelo said the practice goes against the principles advocated by the administration.
“This is yet another moneymaking scheme and those involved in this scam shall be dealt with in accordance with law. The general public is therefore forewarned and violators given a stern warning to cease and desist from these unlawful activities,” Panelo said. – With Alexis Romero, Evelyn Macairan