The PDP-Laban wing led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi formally endorsed Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as its vice-presidential candidate during a proclamation rally in San Mateo, Rizal late Saturday.
The faction, backed by President Rodrigo Duterte, earlier this year adopted the Chief Executive’s daughter as its vice-presidential bet.
This was after the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas expressed its “1,001 percent” backing of Duterte-Carpio, who in turn recognized the unselfish and “buwis-buhay” efforts of barangay workers in the country all throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duterte, chairperson of Lakas-CMD, served as the guest of honor during the 3rd general membership assembly of the league of village leaders at the SMX Convention in Pasay City.
Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), the political party of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., had also adopted Duterte-Carpio for the country’s second-highest post and part of their UniTeam.
The PDP-Laban faction also endorsed the following senatorial candidates during their rally: actor Robin Padilla, broadcaster Rey Langit, House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta, former anti-corruption chief Greco Belgica, former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador “Sal” Panelo, former Agrarian Reform chief John Castriciones, and former Energy Undersecretary Astra Pimentel.
Guest candidates, the Cusi wing said, will be announced in the coming days.
“This event, organized by the party and San Mateo Mayor Cristina Diaz, will kick off and drumbeat our series of campaign events across the country to show that the PDP Laban is the dominant party in the country,” Cusi said in a statement.
The group earlier said Duterte would campaign for nearly 6,600 national and local candidates starting March 25.
It was not immediately clear if the President would campaign for his daughter or if he would be present in her campaign sorties.
In an interview aired on state TV last week, the Chief Executive said he has yet to decide whether to endorse a presidential candidate.
Liga President Eden Chua Pineda introduced Duterte-Carpio to the attendees as the “incoming vice president” of the country.
“We are grateful and thankful that you have given us the opportunity and time to unite here … Rest assured, our 1,001 [percent] full support for your candidacy. We are always here, behind you, supporting you, because we know for a fact that your heart is in the barangay,” Pineda said of Duterte.
“There’s no doubt that our Vice President Inday Sara is with us, all the way,” Pineda added.
In her speech at the event, the presidential daughter highlighted the vital role that barangays willingly took up during the past two years amid the raging health crisis.
“While we continue to face the challenges that this current pandemic has brought to our respective localities, we recognize the importance of our barangays as one of the primary implementing units in ensuring the continuity of effective service delivery of our government to our communities,” Duterte said.
Duterte thanked the barangay officials and volunteers for their efforts in effecting the national government’s COVID-19 response.
“I cannot overemphasize the importance of barangays. I won as vice mayor of Davao in 2007. My hallmark project in that office is named Inday Para sa Barangay, “she said.
Duterte told the Liga that “by strengthening the resilience of your respective constituents in this pandemic, you will ensure positive outcomes of the plans, programs, and initiatives of your barangays.”