MANILA, Philippines — Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo — currently seeking election as Pampanga representative — has endorsed the presidential and vice-presidential tandem of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
The endorsement follows that of her party, Lakas-CMD, which is fielding Mayor Duterte for vice president.
According to statement from her office, Arroyo — previously House speaker — asked her province mates to support the candidacy of Marcos and Duterte in the May 9 elections. Pampanga is one of the largest vote-rich provinces in the country with more than 1.5 million registered voters this year.
"I see a landslide victory for BBM-Sara here in Pampanga," she told the people of her hometown of Lubao on April 4, the eve of her 75th birthday, when Mayor Duterte visited the town.
"I know all of us are for Bongbong Marcos. I hope you give Sara the equal support you gave Noli de Castro, who was my vice president."
The move is not surprising. Arroyo is president emerita of the center-right Lakas–CMD, which has already endorsed Marcos. Mayor Duterte was named chairperson of the party on Nov. 17, 2021 after leaving the regional Hugpong ng Pagbabago, which she founded. She has since rejoined HNP.
Arroyo said Marcos would need Sara Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, as his vice president. "This is one reason we are endorsing Inday Sara," she said.
"We are also endorsing her because of the help which her father, President Rody Duterte, provided Pampanga. Let us return the favor. We should make them win by a landslide," Arroyo said.
Arroyo became the first female vice president of the Philippines in 1998 before being sworn in as the country's second female president in 2001. Reelected in 2004, she served as president for nine years.
The Supreme Court acquitted her in 2016 of the plunder case involving alleged misuse of the P366-million intelligence fund of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Arroyo thanked President Duterte in 2019 for "[providing] the atmosphere in which the Court had the freedom to acquit me of the trumped up charges of my successor and your predecessor."
Duterte appointed Arroyo as presidential adviser on Clark flagship programs and projects on November 24.
Post-presidency, she was elected representative of Pampanga's Second District in 2010 and served until 2019 and was House speaker from 2018 until 2019.
Arroyo, who is planning a return to the House, is running unopposed. She is set to replace her son, Mikey Arroyo, as district representative.