VICE presidential aspirant and incumbent Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio revealed on Tuesday, November 16, that she and presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. asked for support from Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and to form an alliance, but the ruling party refused.
"Ang aking partido [Lakas-CMD] ay nakipag-alyansa at humingi ng suporta para kay [presidential aspirant] Bongbong Marcos at para sa akin matapos kong tanggapin ang inyong hamon at panawagan. Tinanggihan ito ng PDP at naiintindihan natin ito (My party tried to forge an alliance and get support for Bongbong Marcos and myself after I decided to run for vice president. PDP-Laban rejected this and we understand their decision.)," Duterte-Carpio said in a recorded video message uploaded on Tuesday evening, November 16.
However, she clarified that she understands the rejection but asserts that her camp had no intent to discredit anyone in the party.
"[W]alang pangalan na sinisira o dinudungisan, walang sinasagasaan, walang inaagrabyado, inaaway, pinapaiyak o inaapi (I just want to be clear -- no name is slandered or defiled, no one is abused, no one is aggrieved, fought, cried or oppressed.)," she added.
The mayor and presidential daughter called for "unity" among supporters of the Duterte administration.
"Magkaisa po tayong lahat na mga sumusuporta sa administrasyong Duterte. Iisa lang naman ang ating mga pangarap — ang pagkakaroon ng mas matatag, mas mapayapa, mas maunlad na bansa (We, supporters of the Duterte administration, must all unite. We only have one aspiration in life — to have a strong, peaceful, and progressive country)," she said.
Duterte-Carpio's video statement comes after the former senator and presidential aspirant Marcos introduced the former as his running mate in the 2022 elections.
"Naitawid na namin ni Mayor Inday Sara Duterte ang proseso para sa tambalang inaasam-asam ng aming mga taga suporta -- ang BBM (Bongbong Marcos)-Sara sa 2022 (Mayor Inday Sara Duterte and I have made all the necessary procedures for the tandem that all our supporters are yearning for -- the BBM-Sara for 2022.)," Marcos said.
“Kaisa ako ni Inday Sara sa kanyang sinabi na iisa lang naman ang ating mga pangarap... ang pagkakaroon ng mas matatag, mas mapayapa, mas maunlad na bansa (Mayor Inday Sara Duterte and I have made all the necessary procedures for the tandem that all our supporters are yearning for -- the BBM-Sara for 2022.),” he added.
Marcos is running under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas while Carpio is the vice-presidential nominee of the Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD).
Go denies PDP’s rejection
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, dismissed the claim of Duterte-Carpio that PDP-Laban turned her down when she asked for their support for her candidacy as vice president in the 2022 national elections.
“I will let the PDP leadership clarify these matters in due time. Alam ko naman po na wala kaming tinatanggihan (I know that we did not deny anyone.) Being the administration party, we have always exerted efforts to reach out to those who are supportive of PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte),” Go said in a statement.
“As I have said earlier, kung ako lang ang tatanungin, siya ang aking sinusuportahan sa pagka-bise presidente (I will support her as vice president),” he added.
Meanwhile, in a statement, PDP-Laban Secretary General Melvin Matibag said their faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi “toed the line” when the leadership decided to continue supporting Go.
He did not directly answer Carpio’s claim that they rejected her.
“We respect the decision of Mayor Sara Duterte, but the PDP has its alliance with PDDS among others. Our alliances are strong and our leaders’ and members’ discipline, spirit, and morale are high,” Matibag said.
“We have toed the line and will support the candidacy of Senator Bong Go for President and President Rodrigo Duterte for Senator,” he added.
Duterte and Go is running for senator and president, respectively, under Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS).
Go initially filed his certificate of candidacy for the vice president position under the PDP-Laban party.
Duterte earlier said he would not support Marcos’ candidacy because he was a son of a dictator.
The President also aired his disappointment of Sara only settling for the vice presidency.