A resolution showing some members of PDP-Laban urging President Rodrigo Duterte to run as vice president in the upcoming elections was not authorized, PDP-Laban Acting President Manny Pacquiao clarified.
PDP-Laban Deputy Secretary General Melvin Matibag confirmed that a meeting was held last Monday in accordance with the directive of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, the party’s vice chairperson.
“May tumayo. Si (Someone stood up. It was) former Cong. Ricky Sandoval of Malabon and said if we really want continuity, why don’t we convince PRRD to run as our vice presidential candidate in the 2022 national elections,” Matibag disclosed.
Pacquiao responded to Cusi regarding the meeting, saying he should not divide the the party members for his own interest. Cusi confirmed that there were indeed “consultative assemblies in Manila, Cebu and Davao.” However, these were in support of the National COVID Action Plan of the chief executive.
“We did not initiate talks on the national elections in 2022. It was the participants gathering together and agreed to execute and sign a resolution to support President Duterte as PDP-Laban’s Vice Presidential candidate in 2022,” he added. Deputy Speaker Eric Martinez, also a member of PDP-Laban, admitted that the circulating document was only a “draft resolution” and even Senator Koko Pimentel was aware of the meeting.
Political analyst and Professor Edmund Tayao said a continuity in leadership is good, but it is a different matter when opponents belong to the same party.
“That will give the opportunity to the opposition to win instead of the administration maintaining dominance,” he pointed out.
Matibag said they will let the president choose his running mate for the presidency in 2022. Among those being considered are Pacquiao, Senator Bong Go, and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
– Report from Daniel Manalastas
