PDP-Laban Cusi faction, UniTeam joining forces for rallies

MANILA, Philippines — The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) faction composed of President Duterte’s allies and the UniTeam of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will join forces in campaign rallies.

In a Facebook post, the PDP-Laban said it would unite with the UniTeam in campaign activities two weeks before the national and local elections on May 9.

The ruling party also teased that its chairman President Duterte might make an appearance.

The PDP-Laban has yet to release a schedule of activities for the joint events.

Asked if they are working on Duterte and Marcos joining together on stage, party president Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a text message: “Abangan na lang natin (Let’s just wait for it), please.”

Duterte has maintained that he is neutral in the presidential race and has only endorsed Duterte-Carpio, his daughter, for vice president and senatorial candidates from both parties.

In November last year, Duterte criticized Marcos, calling the latter a weak leader and spoiled child of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

BBM maintains lead

Marcos has maintained his strong lead in pre-election surveys with two weeks left before the May 9 polls.

Marcos kept his majority preferential rating in the latest results of both Laylo and Publicus Asia surveys.

In the Laylo survey conducted from April 14 to 20, the former senator garnered a preferential rating of 64 percent, a dominant 43-point margin over the 21 percent of his closest rival, Vice President Leni Robredo. – Edu Punay