PRRD WON’T ENDORSE ‘HUGPONG’ SLATE

Duterte says he would only campaign for the official and guest candidates of PDP-Laban

Because I have to be true to myself. Kung ano ‘yung sinabi ko dito, ‘yun na ang suportahan ko . RODRIGO R. DUTERTE President

Manila - President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, February 14, said he respects the choices made by daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, but he will not endorse the 13-man Senate slate of her regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).

Duterte said he would only campaign for the official and guest candidates of his political party Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) who were introduced during the proclamation and kick-off rally in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

“Insofar as ang PDP-[Laban] na nandito, (Insofar as those who are introduced during PDP-Laban’s proclamation rally, I will support their candidacy). I have no quarrel with Inday actually. But I respect her decision, go among the aspirants who choose to form a ticket,” the President told reporters on the sidelines of the presentation of PDP-Laban’s Senate slate.

Duterte officially endorsed PDP-Laban’s five official senatorial candidates, namely former special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go, former presidential adviser on political affairs Francis Tolentino, former Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Maguindanao Representative Zajid Mangudadatu.

He also proclaimed incumbent senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Cynthia Villar, and Joseph Victor Ejercito; former senator and Taguig Representative Pia Cayetano; Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda Josefa Marcos; and singer Freddie Aguilar as guest candidates of the PDP-Laban.

“Because I have to be true to myself. Kung ano ‘yung sinabi ko dito, ‘yun na ang suportahan ko (What I said here is I’ll only support those who are here),” he said.