Malacañang on Thursday (July 8) said COVID-19 response remains the administration’s priority, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent remark that he may join the vice presidential race.
Duterte said during the July 6 Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) meeting that he is “seriously thinking of running for vice president” amid calls from some of the party’s members to ensure continuity in the next administration.
“It hasn’t changed, it’s still COVID-19… COVID-19 or not, elections are coming up, so political parties have to prepare and candidates will have to file their certificate of candidacy,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.
“Pilipinas, COVID pa rin po ang problema. Pero nakasaad po sa ating saligang batas na magkakaroon po ng halalan sa Mayo. So habang po nasa pandemiya, pinag-uusapan na po ang politika, pero ang ating prayoridad COVID-19 pa rin at ang pagbangon sa pandemiyang ito,” he added.
Roque said Duterte has no final decision yet regarding the upcoming national elections, and that he continues to fulfill his functions. He also just appointed Jacinto Paras as Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs. – Report from Mela Lesmoras/AG- jlo
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