FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte assured President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. that his party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), has his full support, but will also not hesitate to voice out concerns under the latter's administration.
During the PDP-Laban’s 2022 National Assembly in Pasay City on Thursday, September 30, Duterte said in his speech that his party was not going to pick a fight with Marcos.
"We are not putting up a strong party against the party of the president. We are not going to quarrel. Far from it," the former President said.
Duterte added, "We will be giving our full support for him politically."
However, the former Davao City mayor will serve as the so-called “fiscalizer” of the Marcos administration if needed.
"But the president can be very sure that in the coming days, we will fiscalize," Duterte said.
"'Pag may nakita tayong masama (If we see something wrong), we will raise our voice because that is the essence of our presence here," he added.
Duterte remained the party’s chairman, while Palawan Second District Rep. Jose C. Alvarez was elected as the party's new president, replacing former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.
The 77-year old former leader administered the oath of office to Alvarez and other elected leaders.
Since stepping down from the presidency, Duterte had been enjoying his retirement in his hometown. He had been roaming around various parts of the Davao Region with his motorcycle.
Duterte's daughter, Sara Duterte, meanwhile, is currently Marcos' vice president.
Prior to the 2022 campaign, Duterte called Marcos a “weak leader” and “spoiled child”, and had aired his dislike of the latter to be his daughter’s running mate. Eventually, when he stepped down, the former President urged the public to rally behind the Marcos administration. RGL