Sunday, October 05, 2008 Duterte to stick with Arroyo 'til 2010 By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte reiterated his support for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo despite his continued "alliances" with known opposition leaders who frequent Davao City the past months.
In an interview after the sister-cityhood pact signing between Duterte and San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito Saturday, Duterte said his loyalty to President Arroyo will remain until 2010 as he earlier promised. He said after 2010, however, another story, as Arroyo will no longer be seeking another term.
Duterte said his alliance with the Estradas go beyond politics, adding that he always considers former president Joseph Estrada a friend and will remain to be his friend no matter what.
The mayor said he will remain with his political party, PDP-Laban, and is not keen on joining any other national political party, be it administration or opposition.
"Wala pa ma'y partido nga gusto mukuha sa akoa. Hindi ko kalaban ang presidente pero di rin ako kasama sa partido nya (No party is inviting me yet. The President is not my enemy, but still I am not part of her party)," Duterte said.
Mayor Ejercito, for his part, said his visit to Davao City, as part of their sister-city agreement, has nothing to do with politics. He said he came to Davao on a purely sister-city agreement and will not discuss or entice Duterte to join the opposition.
"We are here to share the economic miracle of San Juan and also learn many things as well on the good things about Davao City but no politics," Ejercito said.
He, however, admitted that Duterte would be a good asset to the opposition if ever he decides to join them in 2010. Ejercito vowed to support Duterte whatever his decision would be.
