AT LEAST two village chiefs in Cagayan de Oro City who met with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang early November 2018 have confirmed that Duterte is likely to endorse Jose Gabriel "Pompee" La Vina for mayor in the city in the 2019 midterm polls.
Barangay 15 chairman Lucilo Legaspi and Bulua village chief Al Legaspi Jr. were among the seven barangay captains from the city who heard the president saying he would raise the hand of La Vina if necessary.
The other five barangay chairmen refused to comment on the claim. They were Allan Mabalacad (Bonbon); Pedro Balite (Kauswagan); Anthony Abejuela (Barangay 1); Raymart Englis (Barangay 5); and Alexander Ligtas (Consolacion).
They were in Manila to attend the convention of the Liga ng mga Barangay last November 6, when they took time to visit the president which was facilitated by Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher "Bong" Go.
"Kung kinahanglan moadto kog Cagayan para ikampanya si Pompee akong ipataas iyang kamot moanha ko," Legaspi said quoting Duterte as saying.
La Vina is challenging City Mayor Oscar Moreno's reelection bid in the 2019 midterm elections. He is the standard bearer of the opposition Padayon Pilipino-Centrist Democratic Party (CDP) coalition.
Legaspi Jr. on the other hand, said Duterte told them to choose a candidate who is not corrupt.
"Niingon siya sa amo nga pagpili mo og kandidato ug magdumala sa dakbayan sa Cagayan de Oro nga dili corrupt kay looy na kaayo mo diha pero wala siya mag name drop," Legaspi Jr. said, quoting the president.
“Ingon siya gusto nako matabangan mo siguro sa tama nga panahon kung makita nako nga kailanganon nga ipataas nako ang kamot ni Pompee La Vina," he added.
He said their conversation with the president only lasted for about 10 to 15 minutes.
The seven village leaders who met the president were known to be allies of the opposition.
"Whether Duterte's statement was personal, it just happened that any statement coming from the president is worth publishing," La Viña said in a statement.