Cusi-led PDP-Laban backs Sara Duterte for VP, may not pick a prexy bet

The PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has adopted Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as its vice presidential bet for the 2022 elections. 

In a statement, the party said Mayor Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, will ensure continuity of the President’s programs. 

“The party is committed to support her candidacy in the coming elections,” the party said. 

The party, however, has no presidential candidate with less than a month to go before the campaign period starts on February 8. 

“We have not made any decision about it. We are having evaluation as to who among the candidates would best continue the programs the administration has started,” Cusi added in a press conference.

He said that it is also "possible" that they would not endorse any presidential candidate. 

Mayor Duterte's running-mate in the 2022 elections is former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

Cusi said PDP-Laban has yet to be "convinced" by any presidential bet, including Marcos, son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. 

“I don’t like to single out anybody. All these candidates are credible. If you have arguments on any candidate that will fit PDP-Laban's principle and ideology, tell us and we will hear you out,” Cusi added.

Cusi, however, said they are "guided by the wisdom" of President Duterte, who once called Marcos a weak leader.

“We respect the views of the President, we are guided by his wisdom,” Cusi said. “It is always a factor in our decision-making.” 

Lakas-CMD, which Mayor Duterte chairs, said the move to adopt is an opportunity for the parties to renew their partnership as they have been allies in pushing for social and economic reforms under the Duterte administration.

"Mayor Inday Sara has been espousing unity and cohesion for a better Philippines under the BBM-Sara UniTeam alliance that includes Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) of presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos, to which Lakas-CMD has been very supportive," Lakas-CMD said.

"The Lakas-CMD is always open to alliances and partnerships with other parties and political groups which share our ideals and vision for the common good of the country," it added.

Lakas-CMD expressed hope that its efforts to unite with all political parties supportive of President Duterte "would help realize our common dream of electing the team that would best serve the Filipino people."

In a separate statement, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, spokesperson for Marcos, said that Mayor Duterte's political parties, namely, Lakas-CMD and regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago, are not forging an alliance with the Cusi-led PDP-Laban.

"The political parties of Mayor Sara informed us that there was no signing of an accord between them and PDP-Laban, nor a semblance of any formality to forge an agreement for Mayor Sara’s adoption and that they remain strongly committed to its alliance with presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos," Rodriguez said.

Nevertheless, Rodriguez said that they respect the decision of the Cusi-led PDP-Laban.

"PDP-Laban (Cusi faction)'s announcement adopting vice-presidential aspirant Mayor Sara Duterte is freedom of choice. As far as the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, the party of presidential aspirant Marcos, and the UniTeam are concerned, such adoption, though a unilateral move, deserves our utmost respect,” Rodriguez added.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, a longtime aide of President Duterte, initially filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice president under PDP-Laban. Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa originally filed his COC for president under the ruling party.

Go, however, withdrew his bid after Mayor Duterte filed a COC for vice president. Dela Rosa, on the other hand, withdrew his COC.

Go filed a COC for president as a substitute under Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS), a party allied with the PDP-Laban. The senator in the end also withdrew his 2022 presidential bid.

Two factions of the PDP-Laban are vying for recognition before the Commission on Elections — that of Cusi and Duterte, and the other of Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao. —with Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK/VBL, GMA News