Duterte defends Andanar over campaigning

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has defended Communications Secretary Martin Andanar from criticisms that he may have crossed the line when he campaigned for former special presidential assistant Christopher “Bong” Go in San Juan last Thursday.

Duterte told reporters Friday evening after the oath-taking of the officials of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority in Malacañang that he has tasked Andanar to help in the activities of the PDP-Laban to boost the chances of administration candidates.

“(The people) should understand what is PDP and what PDP is fighting for. His father is Wency. He is an ideologue and (the political party) would need guidance. And I can only think of  Sec. Andanar who can do it well. That is why he was an exception,” the President said.

Andanar is a son of former interior and local government undersecretary Wencelito Andanar, who the President said is one of the founders of PDP-Laban, along with former Senate president Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

PDP-Laban president Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, is also busy with his re-election bid, the President said.

“So every time there is a meeting, and the talks of the dialogue and the narratives of PDP, not where to get the money or how to cheat, but rather to guide everybody on the values that the PDP stands for. I was not around, I was not an original member. So that is why I allowed him to go public,” Duterte said.

Duterte reiterated his directive to other members of the Cabinet not to use government resources in the campaign.

“But the law says they can campaign. I did not allow the other members because they will be campaigning if they want to, and they will be using government cars, government fuel and I wanted to remove that kind of issue just to be fair,” the president said.

“But Andanar, he’s an ideologue. His guidance is very important to all of the PDP members. He is the son of one of the founding fathers of PDP-Laban,” said Duterte, who ran under the political party in the 2016 elections.

Faced with questions last Thursday, Andanar said he had the blessing of the President to attend the campaign sorties of PDP-Laban.

Duterte also took up cudgels for Andanar, who was being criticized for allowing a team from the so-called “Press Caravan” project of the PCOO to join a group of government officials to present the government’s side on involuntary disappearances pending at the United Nations.

The Chief Executive said he sees nothing wrong with Andanar since his agency is tasked to help in government messaging and communication strategy. 

Duterte reiterated his call against corruption and use of public funds.

“He is a chief of office. I do not tinker with the decisions of how to do it, do it better and do it more better than the rest. Kung gusto niya, diyan. But basta wala lang corruption and the funds are properly accounted,” the President said.

“And he’s the mainstay in the propaganda of government. We have to have a propaganda division you know. It’s a political entity, this presidency and of course all others. But more importantly myself, because I execute the laws,” he said.

Duterte said he does not micro-manage since he expects the Cabinet secretaries to do their jobs well.