David won't quit VP race but says other bets should unify vs. BBM-Sara

Vice presidential candidate Rizalito David on Thursday said he has no plan of withdrawing from the race despite his low numbers in recent pre-election surveys.

Speaking before the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands forum, David explained why he could not drop out of the race.

He pointed out that former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte continue to be the frontrunners in the May 9 polls because of their money.

“Nangunguna sila dahil sila ang may pinakamaraming salapi, hindi sila ‘yung pinakamagagaling. In fact, hindi ko nga naiintindihan kung ano ‘yung gusto ni Marcos na mangyari sa bayan natin,” David stressed.

(They are leading in the surveys because they have the money, not because they are the best. In fact, I can't understand what Marcos wanted to do for our country.)

“He calls on people to unite – unite on what? He hasn't discussed anything substantive about unity. Basta ‘yung mga patalastas niya sinasabing magsama-sama at babangon tayong muli. Eh ‘yung nga babangon tayo muli medyo sablay na ‘yun. Ka-partner mo si Sara Duterte, ang tatay ni Sara Duterte ay 'yung Presidente. Pagkatapos sasabihin mo babangon muli? Ibig sabihin lugmok talaga tayo ngayon diba?” he added.

(His political ads say let's come together and rise again. Saying we will rise again is already off because the father of your running mate is the sitting president. Does he mean the country is now not doing good?)

David admitted that none of the other presidential and vice presidential candidates could defeat Marcos and Duterte. Thus, he reiterated that candidates should do a “selfless act” to unify and form a grand coalition.

“Naniniwala akong walang mananalo sa aming mga vice presidential candidates outside of Sara Duterte kung di kami magsasama-sama. Naniniwala din ako na hindi mananalo ang sino man na presidential candidate kung hindi magsasama-sama para talunin si Marcos,” he said.

(I believe that none of the vice presidential candidates can beat Sara Duterte if we will not unite. The same with the presidential candidates and Marcos.)

The latest Pulse Asia survey held from March 17 to 21 showed that David is still below the rankings for the vice president race with a score of 0.01%.

On the other hand, Marcos and Duterte would have been named president and vice president if the elections were held during the period of the survey, with both scoring 56%.

“Pwede tayong makapag-forge ng maayos na future kung tayo ay magsasama-sama. Hindi natin dapat hayaan na manalo si Marcos at Sara dahil babalik lang tayo sa dati, paikot-ikot lang tayo,” David insisted.

(We could create a better future if we will come together. We should not let Marcos and Sara win because we will just return to the past.)

A weak nation?

Meanwhile, David argued that if the Marcos-Duterte tandem wins in the elections, this would symbolize that the “Philippines is a weak nation.”

He added it would be very sad if the public decides to elect the tandem.

“This is not just about politics. This is about us as a people and as a nation. We never learn our lessons. Simbolo lang sila (they are symbols),” he said.

He further emphasized, “Ang hina ba nating mga Pilipino? Binibigyan tayo ng pangarap ang pinipilit natin ay balikan ang nakaraan. Di ba napakasakit sa puso niyan…I was so sad the entire day yesterday when that came out (Pulse Asia Survey). Hindi na tayo natututo talaga.”

David earlier said he would use his post as vice president to keep watch on the presidency if Marcos Jr. wins in May 9 polls.—AOL, GMA News