FORMER Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) chairperson and senatorial candidate Greco Belgica said there is a slim chance that President Rodrigo Duterte might change his mind and endorse his presidential candidate for the May 9 elections.
Belgica said in an interview with the Davao media at the Acacia Hotel on Thursday noon, April 28, 2022, that Duterte has been consistent in being neutral as a president.
He, however, said that there is still less than two weeks for Duterte to change his mind.
"Possible kasi (It is possible) we have two weeks pa, pero it's really up to him. I don't see it happening based on our conversation, but he can change his mind. Of course, he can do it, pero pwede rin hindi na kasi consistently, he's been saying na he will be neutral as president. I think he is sincere with that decision," Belgica said.
The former Duterte Cabinet member also said there might even be last minute surprises in the President's decision.
In terms of the vice presidency, Belgica said that Duterte is firm in supporting his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Duterte-Carpio's runningmate is former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Both of them are frontrunners in various election surveys.
The President called Duterte-Carpio's runningmate a “weak leader” and “a spoiled child” in previous speaking engagements and press conferences.
Duterte had also previously reiterated his position of not endorsing any candidates for the top post, except his daughter.
On Marcoleta's withdrawal
Belgica said he is saddened by the decision of Sagip Partylist Representative and House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta to withdraw his senatorial bid due to “poor” ranking in electoral surveys ahead of the 2022 national and local polls on May 9, 2022.
"I was shocked and naghihinayang sa pagwi-withdraw ni Congressman Marcoleta dahil kahit papano ay naging kaibigan ko si Manong Dan," he said.
He also said the deputy speaker's accomplishment in the House of Representatives would have been carried over in his political career in the Senate, if the latter would win.
The former PACC chair commended Marcoleta's effort in battling "oligarchs."
Marcoleta was one of the 70 House lawmakers who voted for the cancellation of the franchise of TV network giant ABS-CBN.
Belgica and Marcoleta were among the senatoriables that the President endorsed.
The former anti-corruption chair said he is in Davao City to join the political rally of Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte's joint party Hugpong ng Pagbabago-Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod.