Duterte’s wing in PDP-Laban backs Bongbong

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte’s faction in the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) yesterday endorsed the candidacy of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

The national executive committee, led by party president and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, issued a resolution expressing support for Marcos, saying he is the “candidate whose platform is most aligned with the development program of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.”

“(Marcos) is the candidate whose vision of governance is most aligned with PDP-Laban’s 11-point agenda,” the party said.

Among those in the party’s agenda are the campaign against illegal drugs and corruption, ending communist insurgency, the Build, Build, Build program and improving the country’s health care and education systems.

Cusi’s wing also cited the support of their local chapters for Marcos’ candidacy as basis for their decision to endorse him.

“Among the candidates for president, (former) senator Bongbong Marcos received the most endorsements from several local councils of PP Laban, including locos Sur, La Union, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines Norte, Masbate, Aklan, Negros Occidental, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga del Sur, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, Caloocan City, Malabon City, Mandaluyong City, Pasay City, Parañaque City, San Juan City, Valenzuela City, Malolos City, Ormoc City and San Pedro City,” the resolution stated.

The resolution, however, did not carry the signature of President Duterte, who is expected to make his own endorsement of a presidential candidate.

The party had endorsed the candidacy of Marcos’ running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, in December last year.

Marcos’ camp immediately welcomed the ruling party’s endorsement that they considered as a “signal that our message of national unity is gaining ground.”

“Of course, we’re very grateful to receive this much awaited and very-much-hoped-for news. We’re thankful for the trust of the PDP-Laban to me and Inday Sara. This new development will consolidate the forces of unity so we can work against those who would want to divide Filipinos,” Marcos told reporters in an ambush interview during a campaign sortie in Cavite.

For her part, Duterte-Carpio revealed that Marcos met the President over the weekend, but said she was not privy to what the two discussed.

“The UniTeam is appreciative of the endorsement of Apo BBM from PDP-Laban,” the presidential daughter told reporters in a separate interview.

Marcos’ spokesman Vic Rodriguez said the trust of PDP-Laban “inspires us beyond measure.”

In the same statement, however, Rodriguez called for vigilance from their supporters despite Marcos consistently topping preferential surveys and the “bandwagon of support” of major political parties.

“It is truly reassuring, but at the same time challenging us to be even more prepared and vigilant in light of growing rumors of possible poll fraud in the coming elections,” Rodriguez said.

“It’s barely two months before the D-Day; and all the national surveys indicate a runaway advantage for Marcos Jr., but we cannot be complacent as the forces that try to put him down ever since has not ceased, and apparently, has even intensified their gutter ways,” he added.

Other signatories

Apart from Cusi, PDP-Laban secretary-general and Cabinet secretary Melvin Matibag and the party’s former candidate for president and Duterte’s close ally Sen. Bong Go also signed the resolution.

Some of the other notable signatories are Department of the Interior and Local Government spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, the party’s public information chairman, and Paranaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, the party’s vice president for the National Capital Region. – Emmanuel Tupas, Ralph Edwin Villanueva, Rhodina Villanueva