Cynthia Villar: Duterte a good presidential candidate

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Cynthia Villar on Tuesday said she believes Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte is a good presidential bet for the 2016 elections.

Cynthia, wife of Nacionalista Party (NP) president and former Sen. Manny Villar, considered Duterte as a good candidate for president “because he knows the problem” of the country.

”He knows the problem because he has been in the local government for a long time. He knows the problem of the country. He has done a lot for Davao City. He will be a good candidate,” Cynthia said.

Cynthia said the mayor is also testing the waters whether he has a good chance as a presidential candidate.

Although Cynthia approves of Duterte as a presidential candidate, she denied reports that their party, NP, already made a deal with Duterte’s Partidong Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan.

The senator said NP’s decision for 2016 would still depend on the decisions of Sens. Alan Peter Cayetano and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Cynthia earlier said they opt to back the two senators for their plans in 2016.

”We will ask Sen. Marcos, Sen. Cayetano, they are the one who will decide, not us. We are waiting for them,” Cynthia said.

However, Marcos said he is postponing his decision for 2016 as he is waiting for NP’s decision reiterating that NP should shape his plans as it should be a “party” decision.

Marcos was rumored to become a possible running mate of Duterte after he appeared in a television show with the mayor.

Aside from Duterte, NP also considers having Sen. Grace Poe as their presidential candidate. The party is unlikely to carry Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay since its two members Sens. Antonio Trillanes IV and Cayetano are known rivals of Binay.

Cynthia said her husband was able to meet with other presidential bets including Mar Roxas of Liberal Party, Binay and Poe but she clarified that the meeting was only a “social visit and getting to know each other."