A FACTION of the administration party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) headed by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said they are moving forward despite the decision of Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, to withdraw from the presidential race in next year’s elections.
“Life must go on, the party needs to move forward regardless of the prevailing circumstances,” PDP Laban faction president Alfonso Cusi said in a statement.
Go, President Duterte’s preferred successor, made the announcement on Tuesday, saying his family is against his running for president and he did not want to seek the presidency.
Vice President Leni Robredo, the opposition’s presidential candidate, shrugged off Go’s decision, saying it is immaterial to her own presidential bid.
“Kami kasi iyong lakad namin hindi naman relative to other candidates. Iyong lakad namin, tuloy-tuloy lang kami. Hindi naman kami apektado ng mga nagsa-substitute, umaalis. Sa amin, klaro sa amin kung ano ang dapat naming gawin (It’s because our cause is not relative to other candidates. We’ll just go on with it. We’re not affected by those who substitute for other candidates and those who opt out. It’s clear to us what we have to do),” she told reporters in an interview in Masbate City late Tuesday.
Robredo also said it is Go’s right to withdraw.
Cusi reiterated the party respects Go’s decision.
Cusi also said despite the lack of presidential and vice presidential candidates, PDP-Laban remains the ruling party and still has a “long bench of capable and extraordinary leaders” who will continue with their service to their communities and stakeholders.
Asked if the party will adopt any presidential candidate, Cusi said they will be candidates who could continue the reforms started by Duterte.
In an interview with radio DZRH, Cusi said the party will consult its members about adopting any presidential and vice presidential candidate.
He denied the party had already decided to adopt or endorse Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso for president.
On the possibility of adopting Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao, who leads the other PDP faction, Cusi refused to comment.
He, however, said the party is eyeing the adoption of Davao City Vice Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as their vice presidential candidate but details will still be finalized.
The presidential daughter is running with former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“Ang napuusuan ng partido, hindi na tayo lalayo, kahit noon pa man, dati siyang miyembro ng PDP Laban, nawala lang si Mayor Inday Sara. Maybe after the meeting we can come up with an official statement (the party is leaning towards — we will not go far, she is a former PDP Laban member — Mayor Inday Sara. Maybe after the meeting we can come up with an official statement),” Cusi said,
Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles, in an interview with ANC, said that since the period of substitution of candidates has long been done, the only option left is for the party to just adopt a candidate.
As far as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is concerned, Go remains a presidential aspirant in the May 2022 polls.
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body has yet to receive a statement of withdrawal from Go.
“He has yet to file his withdrawal,” said Jimenez in an interview with reporters. “He will become an official candidate once the campaign period starts and he has yet to withdraw.”
“Once he becomes an official candidate, then he needs to file a statement of contributions and expenditures,” he added.
Jimenez also said Go’s name may remain in the ballot if he does not officially withdraw.
“The votes that will be received by that name on the ballot will be considered stray. It will be counted for record purposes, but it won’t be included in the final tally,” explained Jimenez.
Information technology giant, Google is set to suspend posting of all electoral and political advertisements once the campaign period for the May 2022 polls starts in February 2022.
In a statement released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Google said it will not accept election advertisements in the Philippines that are purchased through Google Ads, Display and Video 360, and shopping platforms that advertisers intend to place on Google, YouTube, and other partner properties.
“Google will be focusing its efforts and resources on upcoming election-related initiatives, which aim to help people access useful and accurate information via product features and media literacy program, encourage participation in the voting process, and help protect the integrity of the elections,” said Google as quoted by the Comelec. — With Wendell Vigilia and Gerard Naval
