Duterte party rallies behind BBM

MANILA, Philippines — The political party allied with President Duterte yesterday expressed support for the incoming administration of president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

The Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS), which was registered as Duterte’s party when he planned to run for senator in last month’s elections, said it expects Marcos to continue the legacy projects of the Duterte administration.

“The PDDS is supporting the Marcos administration to continue the fight against drugs, criminality, terrorism, corruption, poverty and to further establish good governance and principled leadership personified by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, whose unprecedented political will promoted policies beneficial for the Filipino People,” the party said in a statement issued by its president, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) chairman Greco Belgica.

“We will continue to support them because of their commitment to nation building and for their dedication to public service,” said the PDDS, which branded itself as “the President’s national political party.”

It also congratulated Marcos and vice president-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio and vowed to pray for their administration’s success.

“PDDS, a strong solid party of President Rodrigo Duterte, came as one and enjoin others to pray and support for the success of vice president-elect Sara Duterte and president-elect Bongbong Marcos and that they may continue the gains and reforms that PRRD has started and carry on his brand of leadership, vision and aspirations for the country,” it said.

Duterte was supposed to run for senator under the PDDS amid the leadership tug-of-war in his ruling PDP-Laban party during the election season.

The party was also set to tap Sen. Bong Go as its presidential bet, but both Duterte and Go withdrew their candidacies.