Duterte urged to run for VP to continue socio-economic agenda

CEBU, Philippines — PDP-Laban has adopted a resolution on Monday, May 31, 2021, urging its chairman, President Rodrigo Duterte, to run for vice president in the 2022 elections and to pick his choice for President.

Duterte is at the tail end of his term as President.

“It is recognized by leaders and members that with President Rodrigo Duterte’s steadfast leadership and the strong public support for his agenda of change, the government will be able to expeditiously and effectively deliver our people, our communities, our economy, back to good health,” reads part of the two-page resolution approved unanimously by more than 100 members of the party during its National Council Meeting in Cebu City, including leaders from Cebu.

The resolution also says it is imperative to continue the government’s 19-point socio-economic agenda to ensure the country’s recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The resolution noted that several petitions with the same call have been signed and submitted by PDP Laban leaders and local government units in NCR, Cebu, Davao, Laguna, Mindoro, Pangasinan, Quirino, Catanduanes, Bulacan, Bohol, and Bacolod City.

Among Cebu leaders who attended the meeting were Governor Gwendolyn Garcia; Mayors Jonas Cortes of Mandaue, Johannes Alegado of Consolacion, Jeffrey Belciña of Dalaguete, Lito Narciso Creus of Malabuyoc, Fritz Lastimoso of Alcantara, Allan Sesaldo of Argao, Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho of Cordova, Carlo Villamor of Carmen, and Noel Dotillos of Borbon; Sixth District Rep. Emmarie Ouano-Dizon; and Board Members Thadeo Ouano, Glenn Soco, Christopher Baricuatro, and Edsel Galleos.

Vice Mayors Glenn Bercede of Mandaue City, Thelma Jordan of Liloan, and Celsy Sitoy of Cordova also joined with councilors from Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-lapu City, and Consolacion.

Bohol Governor Arthur Yap and Office of the Presidential Adviser for the Visayas (OPAV) Secretary Michael Dino were also in attendance.

 Other party members from Luzon and Mindanao also joined the event via Zoom.

Atty. Melvin Matibag, the party’s acting secretary general, said in a press conference that they trust Duterte’s choices. He said PDP-Laban has many “materials,” including the President’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte; Senator Bong Go; and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, among others.

Nograles, for his part, said:

“I don’t think kasama tayo diyan. Kami sa PDP, buo ang aming tiwala… we want him to pick kung sino man ang gusto niyang running mate as president because we know whoever President Duterte will endorse as President, yun ang mananalo,” he said.

Outsider Possible

Meanwhile, Secretary Raul Lambino said it is not impossible that the party’s standard bearer will come from another group.

“Wala kaming binabanggit doon sa resolution na yung standard bearer ba pipiliin ni Mayor Digong will come from PDP,” he said.

“PDP as a political party has strong alliances with other political parties such as the Nationalista Party, National Unity Party, National People’s Coalition, Lakas CMD, Hugpong ng Pagbabago, and all other political parties… so we will not limit the choice to be made by the President if ever the President would run for vice president. Siya na ang pumili kung sino ang gusto niya na karapat dapat sa bansa kasi nagtitiwala kami sa kanya,” Lambino said.

Pacquio still in

Meanwhile, PDP Laban Cebu President Nixon Dizon said Senator Manny Pacquiao remains as the party’s interim national president.

“Wala man na-ousted si Senator Manny during the meeting. Siya ra gihapon ang interim national president,” Dizon told The Freeman.

Pacquiao is the party’s interim president appointed by the party’s former chairman, former Senator Koko Pimentel.

Pacquiao earlier urged party members not to attend the National Council Meeting, which was called by the group’s vice chairman, Alfonso Cusi. He said the Cusi’s invitation was “not sanctioned by authorized National Council officials and violates Section 4 and Section 5, Article XVI, Constitution of the PDP Laban.”

Pacquiao said “any call for a national council, assembly or meeting must be approved by both the Chairman and the President only.”

Matibag said they have scheduled another meeting on July 16, 2021 during which the party will elect a new set of officers. They have also scheduled a national assembly in Luzon on July 17, 2021. — JMO (FREEMAN)