LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Liberal Party leader and Albay Gov. Joey Salceda will accept Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s offer to head the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) if he is elected president.
“If he wins and if he offers the position again, I will accept it for Albay. I have only one political religion, which is Bicol,” said Salceda during the inauguration of PhilHealth office at the Landco Business Park on Tuesday.
Duterte offered the NEDA post to Salceda when he presented his platform of government to the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council last week. During the meeting, Duterte said he also asked Salceda to join his party, but failed to convince him.
Salceda credited Duterte’s good showing in the latest survey to the result of the first presidential debate held in Cagayan de Oro City on Feb. 21. He said the survey, which was conducted before the Supreme Court ruled that Sen. Grace Poe can run for president, also showed that the votes taken from Poe went to Duterte.
He said the leading contenders for the presidency remain statistically tied.
“It is in the best interest of Mar (Roxas) that Grace should not be disqualified because it makes his win feasible… he only needs to find enough votes to win,” he said.
Salceda said Roxas should also maintain his lead in the Bicol region, Panay and Negros.