MANILA, Oct. 5 (PNA) – Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said on Monday the growing “genuine public clamor” would eventually convince Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to join the 2016 presidential race.
”I’m confident that he will make the right decision. It’s the people and not party nor survey that is pushing him to run. You can go to restaurants and six of 10 people are calling for Mayor Duterte to run,” Cayetano said in a media interview.
He said many political leaders have expressed readiness to shift support to Duterte.
”Many people have expressed willingness to help and campaign for him,” he added.
Cayetano recently announced in Davao City his intention to run for vice president but whether or not he will be chosen as running mate of Duterte, he will support the popular mayor from Mindanao.
”I will not change my loyalty or choice for president just because he will not choose me. Whether or not he will choose me, I will support Mayor Duterte,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano, a member of the Nacionalista Party, said he might right as independent candidate.
”Political parties are not machineries to victories. It’s the people who will choose,” Cayetano said.
Aside from Cayetano, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is the other NP senator who announced vice presidential bid while Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, also of the NP, has expressed intention to seek higher office.
Marcos has also been talking with Duterte for possible Duterte-Marcos tandem in the 2016 elections. (PNA)