WILL President Duterte’s choice for presidential candidate finally be known today?
A faction of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party under President Duterte and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi is set to hold a press conference today to discuss the party’s “choice for president “and their effort to “beef up the Senate for the concrete plans and continuity of the Duterte Legacy’s 11-point agenda for the Filipino people.”
Acting Cabinet Secretary and faction secretary general Melvin Matibag last week said the party will announce before March 25, or the start of the campaign period for local candidates, its choice for president. He said it will be supported by President Duterte who is the party’s chairman.
The other faction is led by Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Emmanuel Pacquiao who is running for president.
Expected to attend today’s press conference are Cusi, Matibag and the party’s senatorial candidates — Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, former anti-corruption commission chairman Greco Belgica, former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo, former agrarian reform secretary John Castriciones, broadcaster Rey Langit, actor Robin Padilla and former Filipino overseas commission undersecretary Astra Pimentel.
An official of the faction, Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, has said he is supporting Vice President Leni Robredo’s candidacy, based on a list of traits that President Duterte said he wants his predecessor to have.
Duterte recently said he wants the next president to be a compassionate and decisive leader, a good judge of character, and a lawyer.
Malacañang has said Duterte prefers to be neutral unless there is a compelling reason to endorse someone.
Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., during the “Kandidatalks” program of Go Negosyo and One Ph yesterday, reiterated the President’s endorsement is important because he continues to have the support and trust of more than 80 percent of the population.
