PDP Laban president and incumbent Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi confirmed on Oct. 26 the efforts by the ruling party to convince President Rodrigo Duterte to run for a Senate seat.
In an interview on Daily Tribune’s morning TV/radio program “Gising Na!,” aired live via Teleradyo Bandido TV and simulcast over DZRJ 810 AM, Cusi said that if Duterte runs for the Senate, he could also act as campaign manager for the tandem of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go.
President Duterte initially accepted the PDP Laban nomination to run for vice president, but later decided to withdraw, with Go taking his place. Likewise, the ruling party fielded Dela Rosa as its presidential bet.
“Now, if the President would not run (for vice president) because he is firm on his decision not to go back on his word, I said why not run for the Senate so he could bring change there? That will be good for the country,” Cusi said.
Still, Cusi reiterated that if Duterte changes his mind and decides to run for vice president, there is no problem for the PDP Laban to revert to its original plan of fielding the tandem of Go for president and Duterte for vice president.
But as things stand, Cusi said PDP Laban is inclined to support and promote the tandem of Bato and Go.
“What is good is that we will offer to the public a candidate for president and vice president who both believe in the program of government that we (the PDP Laban) are pushing and continue the Build, Build, Build programs as well as the other programs that President Duterte has started,” Cusi said.
With Duterte in the Senate, Cusi said the PDP Laban can continue to push all the reforms needed in the legislature.
The President has been at odds with the Senate’s prolonged inquiry into the government’s procurement processes in its pandemic response and has barred Cabinet members from attending the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings.
“And, as I said, he will be our best campaign manager during the campaign,” Cusi said.
This, according to Cusi, will definitely boost the Bato-Go tandem’s chances of winning, stressing that Duterte continues to enjoy a high approval rating. The 2021 Pahayag Quarter 3 survey of a polling company said Duterte’s approval rating rebounded from 58% in Q2 to 60% in Q3.
In the same survey, Go was hailed again as the most trusted senator, earning the trust of 33.87% of 1,500 Filipinos who took part in the poll.
While Cusi admitted that Dela Rosa hasn’t created waves in recent surveys, he said PDP Laban is not worried at all.
“The others (rival presidential candidates) might have the advantages (for now) but it doesn’t mean he can’t catch up,” Cusi said.
Earlier, Cusi said Dela Rosa is already “gaining mileage and traction.”
“Based on our studies and the recent surveys that we are seeing – his future is looking bright,” he said. – jlo
