PDP-Laban Cusi faction formally endorses Sara Duterte’s VP bid

The PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Saturday officially proclaimed Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as the party’s vice-presidential candidate at a proclamation rally in San Mateo, Rizal.

In a press release, PDP-Laban said it would also proclaim its seven senatorial candidates under the “Tatak Duterte” team, namely actor Robin Padilla, broadcaster Rey Langit, House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta, former Cabinet Secretaries Greco Belgica, Salvador Panelo, John Castriciones, and former Energy Undersecretary Astra Pimentel.

The party’s official endorsement of Sara came more than two months after it adopted the Davao City mayor as its vice presidential bet for the May 9 elections.

“Tuloy and Pagbabago! This is President Duterte’s marching orders to all the PDP Laban Senators to continue genuine empowerment of all Filipinos, especially to the poorest of the poor, neglected, minority, indigenous people, and of course, to our next generation,” Cusi said.

“This event, organized by the party and San Mateo Mayor Cristina Diaz, will kick off and drumbeat our series of campaign events across the country to show that the PDP Laban is the dominant party in the country,” he added.

Cusi added that the PDP Laban would also formally launch its “11- point Agenda for Continuity."

“Because they are ‘Tatak Duterte’, our PDP Laban senatorial candidates will continue the reform agenda of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and even institutionalize the President’s advocacies, vision, and ‘Tapang at Malasakit’ in all programs of government,” he said.

“The PDP Laban has the proven track record that it can advance and deliver its 11-point Agenda for Continuity: (1) the fight against corruption; (2) Eradication of poverty; (3) Advancement of peace and order; (4) Ending the pandemic; (5) Defeating communist terrorism in the country; (6) Sustaining economic growth; (7) Generation of jobs; (8) Strengthening national defense and foreign relations; (9) Educational reforms; (10) Decentralization and local government empowerment; and, (11) Charter change and Federalism,” he added.

Sara also clinched the support of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas.

In a tweet, GMA News’ Jonathan Andal reported that Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas president Eden Chua Pineda declared support for the vice presidential bid of Sara during the league’s national assembly in Pasay City.

The mayor attended the event. 

"We are always here behind you, supporting you,” Pineda was quoted as saying.

Liga ng mga Brgy sa Pilipinas president Eden Chua publicly declared support for the VP bid of Sara Duterte

"Our 1,001 full support sa kandidatura niya. We are always here behind you, supporting you"

DILG has repeatedly warned brgy officials vs endorsing national, local bets pic.twitter.com/2nyBogmMpm

— Jonathan Andal (@JonathanAndal_) March 5, 2022

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), however, has  repeatedly warned barangay officials against endorsing candidates for the elections.

In an ambush interview on the sidelines of the event, DILG Undersecretary Martin Diño reminded barangay officials to be apolitical.

In an ambush interview, DILG Usec for Brgy Affairs Martin Diño, who's also at the event, reminded brgy officials to be apolitical

"ang sinasabi ng Omnibus Election Code tungkol diyan, sa pinatutupad nila, na barangay is apolitical" pic.twitter.com/8CsbY311Tu

— Jonathan Andal (@JonathanAndal_) March 5, 2022

“Ang sinasabi ng Omnibus Election Code tungkol diyan, sa pinatutupad nila, na barangay is apolitical,” Diño said.

(The Omnibus Election Code states that barangay officials must be apolitical.)

— DVM/VBL, GMA News