Senatorial candidate and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday welcomed presidential aspirant Rodrigo Duterte’s openness to the possible partnership of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats in next year’s presidential elections.
“This is a welcome development and we are thankful to Mayor Duterte for his openness to seal an alliance with us,” Romualdez, president of the Lakas-CMD, said.
Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association said the looming alliance between his party and PDP-Laban will be of greater advantage, especially for people advocating “malasakit” (compassion) in governance.
“The looming alliance will be anchored on principles and platforms to further promote malasakit [compassion] and champion people’s interest. We are not after political convenience,” Romualdez stressed.
On Tuesday, Duterte, who is the standard bearer of PDP-Laban, said his party is just awaiting for Lakas-CMD or the party of former president-turned Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to formalize its intention for the partnership in the May 2016 polls.
PDP-Laban president and Senator Aquilino Pimentel III earlier said he was open to the arrangement with the Lakas-CMD.
“That is a welcome development. But I think they will stay with Lakas as their party. So it is just like forming an alliance for this particular [2016] election,” Pimentel said.
Lakas-CMD Deputy Secretary General Raul Lambino said majority of the party’s members have expressed their intention to support Duterte’s presidential bid.
Earlier, Duterte endorsed the senatorial bid of Romualdez, citing the latter’s “malasakit” (compassion) to public service especially in his efforts to help Yolanda survivors recover from the tragedy, including those from the hardest-hit Tacloban City should be a major factor for the people to elect him to the Senate.
“[Congressman] Martin [Romualdez] is my candidate to the Senate,” Duterte responded to a query of Manila-based journalist, referring to Romualdez, who is also a guest candidate of presidential aspirant and Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance, as one of the most qualified senatorial candidates.
In response, Romualdez assured Duterte of his commitment to champion good governance, fight against criminality, and graft and corruption as “malasakit” (compassion) to Filipinos who are frustrated of seeking genuine reforms.
“I am one with Mayor Duterte in pushing transparency and accountability in public service that will truly cares and genuinely serves the poorest of the poor. Let us bring back compassion in governance by instilling discipline among our people. These are my commitments to him [Duterte] and Filipino people,” Romualdez said.
Romualdez thanked Duterte for the statement of endorsement to his senatorial bid and for believing on his ability and leadership as senatorial candidate who can contribute for the betterment of the country.
“I am deeply humbled and honored for the support to us by Mayor Duterte,” Romualdez, a former chairman of the House committee on ethics, said.