THE Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said on Friday, January 21, 2022, that it is adopting presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as its vice-presidential bet for the upcoming May elections.
The party said it believes Duterte-Carpio will ensure the continuity of President Rodrigo Duterte’s program, including the fight against criminality, corruption, terrorism, illegal drugs and others that need to be sustained.
“The decision to adopt Mayor Sara has been made by the PDP-Laban National Executive Committee based on her credentials, advocacies and vision for our nation,” the party said in a statement.
“Based on these, the PDP-Laban has decided that the quality of her advocacies and vision are strongly aligned with that of the party. The PDP-Laban believes that the quality of her leadership and her track record in the performance of her duties in her current office make her most qualified for the position she is now aspiring for and therefore deserves the party's support,” it added.
The party said it is currently finalizing the terms of its alliance agreement with Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), which Duterte-Carpio co-chairs.
But Cusi said they have yet to pick a presidential candidate to support in the upcoming polls.
"Sa ngayon (for now), we have not made any decision about it. We are in the process of evaluating who among the candidates would best continue the programs this administration has started," he said in a press conference, adding there is possibility that they will not support any presidential bet.
The Cusi faction was left with no bets for the national elections after Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who earlier filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president under the party, withdrew.
Senator Ronald dela Rosa also filed COC for president under the faction, but he also withdrew.
The other faction of PDP-Laban led by Senator Aquilino Pimentel III fielded Senator Manny Pacquiao as its presidential bet.
Cusi called on its members to hold their ground, stand firm on the principles and ideals of the party and toe the party line.
“We are now on our way to launching our campaign for Mayor Sara, and we assure all PDP Laban candidates that the party is committed to supporting all of your candidacy,” it said. (SunStar Philippines)