Despite incessant rains brought about by typhoon Jolina, President Duterte called for unity among members of the Cusi-led faction of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) during its national convention last Wednesday in the City of San Fernando in Pampanga.
In his speech, Duterte thanked the political party, which he chairs, for nominating him as its official vice presidential candidate in the 2022 polls.
Duterte explained he accepted the endorsement so he could continue serving the country and pursue his advocacies against illegal drugs and insurgency after the end of his term next year.
“I am hopeful that this will allow me to continue serving the Filipino people and lead the entire nation towards greater progress,” he said.
During the convention, PDP-Laban also nominated Senator Christopher “Bong” Go to be the party’s presidential candidate in the 2022 polls.
Go issued a statement reiterating his refusal to accept the said nomination.
The party’s senatorial line up includes Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III; Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo; Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade; Leyte 4th District Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez.
Also on the list are Presidential Spokesman Herminio “Harry” Roque Jr.; Public Works Secretary Mark Villar; Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) chairman Greco Belgica; and SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta.
Duterte urged members of the PDP-Laban and the other candidates endorsed by PDP-Laban to live up to the ideals of their “united” party even beyond the upcoming 2022 National and Local Elections.
“I am confident that with a strong resolve and solidarity, we’ll once again claim victory in the upcoming elections and together achieve a genuine and lasting prosperity for our country,” Duterte said.
PDP-Laban is currently being hounded by a leadership dispute between the faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and Sen. and boxing icon Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao.
The issue has yet to be settled by the Commission on Elections.
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