By Lilian C. Mellejor
DAVAO CITY, Nov. 29 (PNA) — The Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) will hold the proclamation of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as the party’s official party candidate for President at Century Park Sheraton on Monday afternoon.
This was disclosed today by Peter Laviña, spokesperson of the Duterte for Federalism, who said that the proclamation will happen following a PDP national council meeting with the party’s stalwarts led by former senator Aquilino Pimentel and Senator Koko Pimentel.
Laviña said the event will also be graced by Duterte’s expected running-mate Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who was invited to the proclamation.
Last Friday, Duterte filed his Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) for President through his lawyer Salvador Medealdia after filing his withdrawal for mayor. Duterte named his daughter, former mayor Sara as his substitute.
Meanwhile, at his Sunday’s Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa television program, Duterte believes there is no ground for him to be disqualified as substitute of Martin Diño as PDP-Laban candidate for president.
As lawyer, Duterte said he does not believe so but he expects people opposing his candidacy to use money to dislodge him from the presidential race.
Given that, Duterte said, he is ready to retire from politics and give leeway for daughter Sara and Paolo to take the helm of the city. Sara and Paolo are unopposed for mayor and vice mayor, respectively.
Duterte also voiced no surprise on reports that some members of the Liberal Party (LB) in Davao have jumped ship to support his candidacy for president.
He said it is a reflection of a situation wherein the Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, Compostela Valley and Davao City belongs to one Davao before.
“Naa gyud bond ang mga tawo bisag unsaon (The people has bonded whatever you do). Region eleven is fundamentally part of one big province with Davao City as capital. So it does not really surprise me,” Duterte said.
He cited the situation in Metro Manila that whenever there is an opinion made and followed that trickles to the corridors of Pangasinan to Laguna and Cavite where the biggest swing vote can win a president.
Duterte earlier said he is placing his future in the hands of God. The mayor vowed to abide with the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and accept its decision regarding the substitution process. “I will forget about qualms — I will accept gracefully,” he said.
He reiterated that his decision is a matter of principle adding that this is his time to face the Filipino people. (PNA)